TMC Loses Pace In Tripura Ahead Of Upcoming Assembly Polls, Senior Leaders Join Congress

Elections are due in Tripura in the next six months. TMC, which had been highly optimistic about his chances to emerge as the main opposition in the state, is losing the plot as more ground leaders desert the party to join the Congress.

In the recent exodus, state general secretary Baptu Chakraborty, along with his supporters, rejoined Congress. This is amid a growing perception that TMC is not a player in the upcoming polls. The absence of an organisational structure and lack of local face are some of its biggest weaknesses.

TMC President Mamata Banerjee, who wants to be seen as a formidable opponent of the BJP at the centre, has not been able to make any significant mark beyond the state of Bengal. Her party received a drubbing in Goa elections, where it could not win even a single seat.

In the by-poll elections that were held on four seats in Tripura, TMC performed dismally. Despite aggressive campaigning by senior TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, none of the party candidates could save their security deposits.

When it comes to national issues, TMC has made overtures to replace Congress as the central force within the opposition. However, the presidential polls have exposed its lack of a national vision or ability to present an alternative idea to the people of India.

Within the state of Tripura, the Congress is confident of retaining its position as the principal opposition. Mocking TMC’s prospects at the joining function of the former TMC leaders and members, senior Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman said, “TMC was not an issue for the Congress as the party will be reduced to a sign-board” in the state. He also made a veiled attack on Banerjee for meeting PM Narendra Modi in Delhi and withdrawing from the vice-presidential polls.

TMC’s poor performance in the other states, despite high-profile leaders campaigning, show that in people’s eyes, it is a regional party with not much to offer in terms of governance. In addition, the instances of targeted violence against political opponents by TMC cadre, corruption charges and Banerjee’s highly autocratic style of functioning have dented the party’s image severely.