In a development that has drawn significant political attention, TMC MP from Barasat Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar was seen attending a high-level administrative meeting in Kalyani on Tuesday— an event presided over by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The meeting, convened to review administrative issues across the districts of North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Hooghly, witnessed the presence of leaders across party lines. Alongside BJP ministers and MLAs, several TMC legislators were also in attendance, marking a notable departure from past political practices.
Among those present were BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul, who welcomed the Chief Minister at the venue. Additionally, TMC MLAs, including Surajit Mitra from Basirhat South and representatives from Deganga and Swarupnagar, were seen arriving at the meeting.
However, it was Kakoli’s presence that stood out. Her attendance comes amid growing indications of internal dissent within the TMC. Notably, she was recently removed from her position as Chief Whip of the party in the Lok Sabha and replaced by Kalyan Banerjee— a decision taken by party supremo Mamata Banerjee following a meeting with MPs at Kalighat.
Soon after her removal, Kakoli posted a cryptic message on social media, hinting at dissatisfaction after decades of political association with Mamata Banerjee. A long-time party loyalist, her association with Mamata dates back to student politics in the 1970s, continuing through the latter’s rise in national and state politics.
In the weeks that followed, Kakoli’s actions fueled speculation. She reportedly penned letters to senior party leader Subrata Bakshi and made indirect remarks about the political consultancy firm I-PAC, alongside occasional veiled criticisms of Mamata. The situation intensified further after the Central Government upgraded her security cover—though no official explanation has been provided.
Her presence at a meeting chaired by Adhikari — once a TMC heavyweight — is being viewed by political observers as highly significant.
The meeting itself also reflects a broader shift in administrative functioning. Unlike previous regimes, where opposition leaders were rarely invited to such forums, the current administration appears to be adopting a more inclusive approach. According to TMC Ritabrata Banerjee, opposition representatives are now being included in administrative discussions, though no official confirmation was provided regarding invitations in this specific instance.
Observers suggest that this inclusion of opposition voices could signal a more participatory governance model, potentially strengthening democratic processes at the district level.
Meanwhile, the political implications of Kakoli’s recent moves continue to be closely watched, as speculation grows over her future course within the party and the broader political landscape of West Bengal.
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