Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) veteran and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra said he is contemplating quitting active politics, expressing disillusionment with the prevailing political climate in West Bengal and citing what he called widespread hatred and public distress, news agency Press Trust of India reported on Thursday.
Disillusionment, restricted access to voters
Mitra, a four-time legislator who had been a close aide of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before joining the rebel Trinamool faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, told a Bengali television channel that ordinary people were living in fear and that this year’s Durga Puja felt markedly different from earlier occasions. He said he found it difficult to move freely in his constituency in North 24 Parganas and that many of those who voted for him were unable to meet him.
“So many tears were not shed during earlier Pujas. There is a sense of sorrow and distress,”
According to the PTI report, Mitra said withdrawing from active politics was among the options he was weighing. "One way is to leave politics. I am too tired. There is so much hatred in politics. I hate politics," he was quoted as saying. He added that he did not want to undertake any action that would cause trouble to people.
Cross-party remarks and outreach
The veteran leader also referred to the current Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, noting the latter's busy political schedule, and conveyed good wishes to both Ms Banerjee and Mr Adhikari, signalling a tone that cut across party lines. The PTI account said Mitra expressed that his disenchantment went beyond allegiance to any one leader.
- Position: Madan Mitra is the MLA from Kamarhati and has been elected four times.
- Political shift: He left the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC to join the rebel Trinamool group led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
- Key concerns: Restricted mobility in constituency, voter access problems, and a perceived rise in hatred and public distress.
Context and consequences
Mitra's comments come at a time when West Bengal remains politically polarised following recent electoral contests and intra-party realignments. As a senior figure who had occupied a prominent place in the TMC hierarchy, his public airing of frustration offers a barometer of disaffection among some leaders and may be watched for its impact on local party organisation and voter morale.
While Mitra stopped short of announcing an immediate resignation from public life, his remarks that leaving politics was a real possibility and that he felt "too tired" underline an erosion of confidence that could have implications if echoed by other cadres. Observers may view such statements as signalling potential shifts in political loyalties or as an expression of personal fatigue after years of active engagement.
What is confirmed
The details in this report are based on the PTI account of Mitra's interview to a Bengali television channel. The MLA's expressions of fatigue, his comments on limited access to voters in his constituency, and his stated intention to consider leaving politics are as reported by the agency. There has been no formal announcement of resignation from the legislator or an official response from the parties mentioned as of the PTI report.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Constituency | Kamarhati, North 24 Parganas |
| Assembly terms | Four-time MLA (as reported) |
| Current affiliation | Rebel Trinamool group led by Ritabrata Banerjee (former close aide of Mamata Banerjee) |
Political developments in West Bengal often carry wider significance for national parties and alliances. Mitra's statements, whether resulting in retirement or further political manoeuvring, will be noted by party strategists as they assess organisational health and public sentiment ahead of future contests.
No immediate reaction from Ms Banerjee, Mr Adhikari, or leaders of the rebel Trinamool group was reported by PTI in the coverage of Mitra's remarks.
