TMC Turmoil Deepens: Ex-Minister Jyotipriya Mallick Steps Back from Party Role Citing Health Issues
In a fresh setback for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior leader and former West Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick has stepped down from the party’s national working committee, citing serious health concerns. The decision comes shortly after his induction into the newly restructured body formed amid internal turbulence and factional tensions within the party.
In a letter addressed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Mallick said he had been battling severe medical complications for an extended period. He noted that his blood sugar levels had crossed 350 and that he was also dealing with kidney-related issues. Advising complete avoidance of stress, his doctors reportedly warned that continued political pressure could worsen his condition, prompting him to withdraw from organisational responsibilities.
The resignation is being viewed as another organisational setback for the TMC at a time when the party is attempting to consolidate its internal structure and reinforce its grassroots network. Mallick, known for his long association with the party leadership, has been considered a key organisational figure in North Bengal politics.
His exit from the committee adds to growing unease within the party’s Bengal unit, which has already been grappling with factional churn and shifting alliances in recent months. Political observers note that the TMC is facing challenges in maintaining cohesion among senior leaders as it recalibrates its post-election strategy.
Mallick, who previously served as both Food and Supply Minister and later Forest Minister in West Bengal, was earlier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged ration distribution irregularities case. He has since remained a controversial but influential figure in state politics.
His former organisational stronghold, North 24 Parganas, has also witnessed shifting political dynamics, with internal splits and the emergence of breakaway factions weakening the party’s traditional dominance in parts of the region.
The latest development adds further uncertainty to the party’s internal equation as it attempts to stabilise its leadership structure amid ongoing political and organisational challenges.
