Who Is at Risk as Mamata Banerjee Purges the List of ‘Liability’ MLAs in Bengal?

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has begun an extensive internal review to identify and potentially drop lawmakers who are now seen as “liabilities.” The move, part of the party’s larger election preparedness strategy, is being closely coordinated with poll strategist I-PAC as the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections draw nearer.

According to multiple TMC sources, the leadership has been meticulously compiling a list of MLAs who may not receive party nominations this time. The list reportedly includes several celebrity legislators and prominent faces who have fallen out of favor due to poor performance, absenteeism, or lack of public engagement in their constituencies.

Performance Review and Accountability Drive

In what is being described as a comprehensive political audit, the TMC’s top brass is evaluating each MLA based on multiple parameters — attendance in the Assembly, involvement in constituency-level development, and visibility among voters. Party insiders reveal that any MLA failing to meet these benchmarks faces a strong likelihood of being replaced. The party leadership appears determined to move beyond the standard 30% seat replacement pattern seen in Indian politics, signaling a more decisive reshuffle this time.

One MLA from the Hooghly district, part of the Sreerampore lok Sabha constituency, is among those reportedly on the chopping block. Local resentment against him has been rising steadily, with residents complaining about his prolonged absence and lack of constituency work. Even Kalyan Banerjee, a senior TMC MP from Sreerampore, is said to have expressed dissatisfaction over the MLA’s performance — a clear indication of growing internal rifts. Party sources believe retaining him could be “politically risky.”

North 24 Parganas and the Dum Dum Challenge

A similar situation is unfolding in North 24 Parganas, where another MLA, elected through a bypoll, is facing intense anti-incumbency. Party strategists fear that fielding the same candidate again could hand a strategic advantage to the BJP, which is aggressively expanding its base in Bengal. To counter this, the TMC is reportedly considering a more dynamic and locally trusted face to reclaim voter confidence in the constituency that falls under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha seat.

Turbulence in Kolkata’s Political Heartland

Even within Kolkata — the Trinamool’s traditional stronghold — internal churn is evident. Sources indicate that a senior MLA from a South Kolkata constituency, who also holds a cabinet post, has privately conveyed his desire to contest from another seat in 2026. Despite his influence, he appears aware of the growing dissatisfaction among local voters. This development underscores how even high-ranking ministers are not immune to the leadership’s new performance-driven approach.

Corruption Scandals and Party Image Management

Beyond performance metrics, the leadership is also addressing another critical issue — corruption-tainted legislators. Several MLAs have faced investigations or arrests by central agencies over various scams. The TMC leadership believes retaining such figures could damage the party’s credibility ahead of the elections. Instead, there’s a strong push to introduce “clean candidates” who can help rebuild public trust and reinforce Mamata Banerjee’s narrative of transparency and accountability.

Reinventing the TMC’s Image Ahead of 2026

According to senior functionaries, this exercise reflects the Trinamool Congress’s realization that complacency could prove costly in the next electoral cycle. With the BJP gaining momentum in Bengal and anti-incumbency sentiment brewing in several constituencies, Mamata Banerjee appears focused on rejuvenating her party’s image and ensuring that only responsive, people-centric candidates get tickets.

Insiders suggest that the final candidate list will be formulated based on a combination of district-level feedback, internal surveys, and constituency performance audits conducted by I-PAC and the TMC’s election cell. The leadership aims to send a clear message — loyalty alone will no longer guarantee re-nomination; ground-level performance and public perception will determine political survival.

A Message of Reform from Mamata Banerjee

This ongoing review demonstrates Mamata Banerjee’s intent to maintain the Trinamool’s dominance by revamping its grassroots machinery. By signaling readiness to drop even high-profile or celebrity MLAs, the TMC aims to project itself as a party that values accountability over status. In a political landscape increasingly shaped by public scrutiny, the Trinamool’s internal shake-up could serve as both a warning to underperformers and a message of reform to Bengal’s electorate.

As one senior TMC insider summed it up, “The Chief Minister wants every MLA to remember – the next ticket won’t be based on loyalty or fame, but on hard numbers, visibility, and connection with the people.”