Trinamool Congress

The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) is an Indian political party with significant influence in West Bengal. It was established by Mamata Banerjee on January 1, 1998, as a breakaway faction from the Indian National Congress and swiftly gained prominence in West Bengal’s political landscape under her leadership. Currently, the AITC governs West Bengal and ranks as the third-largest party in India by the number of Members of Parliament, following the BJP and the INC.

The party achieved a landmark victory in the 2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, ending the Left Front’s 34-year tenure, which was the longest-serving democratically elected communist government in the world. The AITC has secured a majority in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly three times and has been the ruling party in the state since May 20, 2011. Mamata Banerjee continues to lead the party as its chairperson.

Elections:

Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly:

In the 2009 Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, the party contested 26 seats and won 5 out of 60 available seats, marking an increase of 5 seats from the previous election. The party garnered 15.04% of the total vote, with a popular vote count of 86,406. Despite this improvement, the result placed the party in the category, indicating that it did not achieve a majority or a dominant position in the assembly.

Assam Legislative Assembly:

In the Assam Legislative Assembly elections of 2001, the party contested 23 seats and won 1 out of 126, reflecting an increase of 1 seat from the previous election. The party received 0.55% of the total vote, with a popular vote count of 58,361.

In the 2011 Assam Legislative Assembly elections, the party contested 126 seats but still secured only 1 seat. The party’s vote share remained steady at 2.05%, with a popular vote tally of 283,683. Despite the increase in absolute votes, the party’s representation did not improve significantly

Goa Legislative Assembly:

In the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections, the party, led by Luizinho Faleiro, contested 29 seats but did not win any of the 40 available seats. The party received 5.2% of the total vote, amounting to 49,480 popular votes. Despite its efforts, the party was unable to secure any representation in the assembly.

Manipur Legislative Assembly :

In the 2012 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, the party, led by Maibam Kunjo, contested all 60 seats and won 7, marking an increase of 7 seats from the previous election. The party secured 17% of the vote, with a popular vote count of 237,517, positioning itself as an opposition party.

However, in the 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, the party again contested all 60 seats but won only 1 seat. This represented a decrease of 6 seats and a significant drop in vote share to 1.4%, with a popular vote total of 23,304, reflecting a decrease of 15.6% from the previous election.

Meghalaya Legislative Assembly:

In the 2023 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly elections, under the leadership of Mukul Sangma, the party contested 56 seats and won 5 out of 60 available seats. This marked an increase of 5 seats from the previous election. The party received 13.78% of the vote, with a popular vote count of 255,742, reflecting a notable increase of 13.38% in its vote share. Despite the gains, the party remained in the opposition.

Tripura Legislative Assembly:

In the 2018 Tripura Legislative Assembly elections, the party contested 24 seats but did not win any of the 60 available seats. It received just 0.3% of the total vote, amounting to 6,989 popular votes.

In the 2023 elections, with Pijush Kanti Biswas leading, the party contested 28 seats but again failed to secure any of the 60 seats. The party’s vote share increased slightly to 0.88%, with a popular vote count of 22,316. Despite the increase in vote share, the party remained without representation in the assembly.

Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly:

In the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly by-election, the party contested 1 seat and won that seat out of 403 available. This result marked an increase of 1 seat from the previous election. The party’s performance in this by-election demonstrated a notable gain in representation, although the overall impact on the assembly was limited due to the small number of seats contested.

West Bengal Legislative Assembly:

In the 2001 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, under Mamata Banerjee‘s leadership, the party contested 226 seats and won 60 out of 294, marking an increase of 60 seats. The party received 30.66% of the vote, with a popular vote count of 11,229,396. Despite this significant gain, the party remained in the opposition.

In the 2006 elections, the party contested 257 seats and won 30 out of 294, reflecting a decrease of 30 seats from the previous election. The vote share dropped to 26.64%, with a popular vote tally of 10,512,153, resulting in another opposition status.

The 2011 elections saw a dramatic turnaround as the party, contesting 226 seats, won 184, an increase of 154 seats. The party’s vote share rose to 38.93%, with a popular vote count of 18,547,678, allowing it to form the government.

In the 2016 elections, the party contested 293 seats and won 211, marking an increase of 27 seats. The vote share improved to 44.91%, with a popular vote count of 24,564,523, consolidating its government status.

In the 2021 elections, the party, contesting 290 seats, won 215, an increase of 4 seats from the previous election. The vote share rose to 48.02%, with a popular vote count of 28,968,281, further strengthening its position in government.

History:

Founding

After over 26 years with the Indian National Congress (INC), Mamata Banerjee left the party and founded the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 1998. The party’s official election symbol is Jora Ghas Phul (two flowers with grass). In the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won seven seats. The following Lok Sabha election in 1999 saw the party increase its tally to eight seats, in alliance with the BJP.

In 2000, the TMC achieved a notable victory by winning the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections.

Initially, the TMC joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as part of the Vajpayee government and experienced early success, securing seven seats in its debut election. However, the party faced setbacks in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and the 2006 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. These losses led the TMC to exit the NDA. In the 2001 Vidhan Sabha elections, the party won 60 seats in alliance with the INC, emerging as the principal opposition party in West Bengal.

Nandigram Movement

In December 2006, the Haldia Development Authority issued a notice indicating that a large portion of Nandigram would be seized and 70,000 residents evicted to make way for a chemical plant. This announcement triggered a widespread protest against the land acquisition, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) playing a leading role in the movement. The Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC), or ‘Committee against Land Evictions,’ was formed to organize the resistance.

On March 14, 2007, the situation escalated when police opened fire on protesters, resulting in the deaths of 14 villagers and many others going missing. Investigations, including a report by the Central Bureau of Investigation, indicated that armed cadres from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), along with police, were involved in the violence against the protesters. The brutal crackdown sparked widespread outrage and led to protests from various intellectuals and activists.

The Nandigram events significantly undermined the CPI(M) government and played a crucial role in the TMC’s subsequent electoral success. The movement, led by Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) leader Nanda Patra, became a pivotal moment in the political landscape, highlighting the TMC’s role in advocating for marginalized communities and challenging the ruling government’s policies.

Post-Nandigram/Singur Elections

In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 19 seats in West Bengal, forming an alliance with the Congress. Following this success, the TMC joined Manmohan Singh’s government, with Mamata Banerjee appointed as the Minister of Railways.

In the 2010 Kolkata municipal elections, the TMC achieved a significant victory, winning 97 out of 141 seats. The party also gained control of a majority of other municipalities, further consolidating its political influence in West Bengal.

In Government

Mamata Banerjee, as Chief Minister of West Bengal and chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), led the party to a significant victory in the 2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. The TMC-led alliance, including the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) (SUCI(C)), won 227 out of 294 seats, ending the Left Front’s 34-year rule. The TMC alone captured 184 seats, enabling it to govern independently. After securing a by-election in Basirhat and with two Congress MLAs joining the TMC, the party’s total increased to 187 seats, while Banerjee moved to the Bhabanipur seat to continue her leadership.

In September 2012, Banerjee withdrew support for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) over issues like FDI in retail and increases in diesel prices.

The 2014 Lok Sabha elections saw the TMC dominate West Bengal with 34 out of 42 seats, achieving national party status as it garnered 6% of the vote in five states. The Election Commission officially recognized the TMC as a national party on September 2, 2016.

The party secured a supermajority in the 2016 state elections, allowing Banerjee to remain Chief Minister. However, in the 2019 general elections, the TMC, though the largest party in West Bengal, faced substantial losses to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which made significant gains in the state.

In the 2021 state elections, Banerjee’s party won a decisive victory over the BJP despite defections of key TMC leaders to the BJP. However, Banerjee herself lost in Nandigram to Suvendu Adhikari, a former TMC leader who had defected to the BJP.

Presence in Other States:

Uttar Pradesh:
The TMC established its state unit in Uttar Pradesh in 2005. Shyam Sunder Sharma won a by-election to the Mant constituency in 2012 as a TMC candidate but later defected to the BSP. Neeraj Rai is the current president of TMC Uttar Pradesh. In October 2021, Congress leaders Rajeshpati Tripathi and Laliteshpati Tripathi joined TMC.

Punjab:
The TMC began organizing in Punjab in 2017 under Jagat Singh, fielding candidates in 20 constituencies, but did not win any seats. The party reactivated its presence in 2019 under Manjit Singh, maintaining a continuous presence since then.

Tripura:
In 2016, Sudip Roy Barman led a mass defection from the Indian National Congress to TMC, but many of these members, including Barman, later defected to the BJP. In the 2021 Tripura civic polls, TMC won one seat in Ambassa Municipal Council and emerged as the second-largest party in vote-share, with 19.9% in the 120 seats it contested.

Meghalaya:
The TMC’s Meghalaya unit launched in 2021 saw significant growth when former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and 11 INC MLAs joined the party, making it the largest opposition party in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Charles Pyngrope was appointed president of TMC Meghalaya on November 29, 2021. In the 2023 elections, TMC contested 56 out of 60 seats and won five, receiving 13.32% of the vote and achieving State Party status.

Mizoram:
In 2023, independent MLA Dr. K Beichhua joined TMC.

Manipur:
In the 2012 assembly elections, TMC won eight seats, becoming the only opposition party in Manipur. However, in 2017, it won only one seat and received 5.4% of the vote. The sole MLA, Tongbram Robindro Singh, switched to the BJP in 2017 but later supported the Indian National Congress.

Haryana:
On November 23, 2021, Ashok Tanwar, former president of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, joined TMC. Sukhendu Shekhar Roy was appointed as the Haryana unit in-charge on November 25.

Kerala:
The Kerala Pradesh Trinamool Congress was established in 2009. It contested five seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and 70 assembly constituencies in the 2016 state elections, but faced technical issues. Despite limited success, the party remains active with district and constituency committees, led by Dr. Harish Palathingal and Shamsu Payaningal. It is aligned with the India Front but is not part of the UDF or LDF in Kerala.

Goa:
Ahead of the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections, the TMC began organizing under Luizinho Faleiro. Notable additions included former footballer Denzil Franco and tennis player Leander Paes. Mahua Moitra was appointed as the party’s Goa in-charge, and Churchill Alemao joined TMC. In the 2022 elections, the TMC received 5.2% of the vote. In 2023, Samil Volavaiker was appointed as the party president in Goa.

Arunachal Pradesh:
In the 2009 Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won five seats, capturing 15.04% of the vote. In 2020, independent MLA Chakat Aboh joined the TMC.

Assam:
In the 2001 Assam Legislative Assembly elections, Jamal Uddin Ahmed won the Badarpur constituency as a TMC candidate. After a period of inactivity, the party revived its presence in Assam in 2018 under M. Shanti Kumar Singha’s leadership. The TMC fielded candidates in 14 constituencies in the 2021 elections. In August 2021, Sushmita Dev, a prominent Congress leader, joined TMC, and in 2022, former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora became the President of TMC Assam. For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, TMC announced candidates for four seats in Assam.

Bihar:
On November 23, 2021, Kirti Azad, a former MP from Darbhanga, and Pavan Varma, a former advisor to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, joined TMC.

Party Symbols and Slogans

The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) emphasizes its grassroots origins, reflected in both its name and election symbol. “Trinamool,” which means “grassroots” in Bengali, signifies the party’s foundational ethos. The symbol, known as Jora Ghas Phul, features two flowers with grass, representing growth from the ground up. The inclusion of “All India” in the party name signifies a departure from the elitist nature of the Indian National Congress, from which the TMC originated.

Mamata Banerjee coined the slogan “Ma Mati Manush” (Mother, Motherland, and People), which gained prominence during the 2011 West Bengal Assembly elections. The slogan resonated deeply with the electorate and was later immortalized in a Bengali book and a song written by Banerjee.

Another significant slogan is “Joy Bangla” (“Victory to Bengal”), which Mamata Banerjee and the TMC use to foster a sense of regional and cultural identity among Bengalis. This slogan often concludes Banerjee’s political speeches and emphasizes regional pride.

During the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the TMC popularized the slogan “Khela Hobe” (“The Game is On”), which was promoted through a campaign song by Debangshu Bhattacharya, a member of the party’s youth wing. This slogan has become a rallying cry for opposition movements across India, symbolizing resistance against established power structures.Top of Form

Corruption Cases and Convictions

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has faced several significant corruption allegations and scandals:

1. 2014 Saradha Group Financial Scandal: During Mamata Banerjee’s tenure, the Saradha Group financial scandal emerged, involving accusations of money laundering against some TMC ministers. The scandal revealed that Sudipto Sen, a central figure, had purchased one of Banerjee’s paintings for ₹1.8 crore. The Shyamal Sen Commission, established by Banerjee, managed to return ₹185 crore to depositors. Although some leaders from Congress and CPI(M) were also implicated, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has primarily targeted TMC members in its investigations.
2. Rose Valley Financial Scandal: This scandal involved the collapse of a Ponzi scheme run by the Rose Valley Group. Several TMC MPs were accused of money laundering as a result of their involvement with the scheme.
3. 2016 Narada Scam: The Narada sting operation, conducted by Tehelka’s Mathew Samuel, exposed high-ranking TMC officials accepting bribes. The publication of the sting just before the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections added to the controversy surrounding the party.
4. 2022 Coal Scam: Rujira Banerjee, wife of TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a coal theft case. Although she was initially prevented from leaving for the UAE due to a lookout notice, she later appeared before the ED in Kolkata. The Supreme Court of India allowed the ED to question Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata, but not in Delhi.
5. 2022 Cattle Smuggling Case: Anubrata Mondal, a senior TMC leader, was detained by the CBI in connection with a cross-border cattle smuggling case. The investigation has highlighted alleged links between the smuggling racket and various officials.
6. 2022 West Bengal School Service Recruitment Scam: This ongoing scam involves irregularities in the recruitment process for school services. The investigation, led by the CBI and ED, began following the arrest of Partha Chatterjee, the then Minister of Education in Banerjee’s cabinet.

Allegations of Extortion: Before coming to power in 2011, TMC leaders were reportedly involved in extortion, demanding a share of funds for new construction projects. The alleged practice continued and expanded once TMC assumed control, leading to the establishment of various local syndicates linked to party leaders