KOLKATA: Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee was anointed the Trinamool Congress’s national general secretary on Saturday, underlining his larger role in the party as it convened for its first organisational meet after its massive assembly poll victory over the BJP.
The Trinamool effected a few other changes in key leadership roles, making trusted Abhishek aide Kunal Ghosh its state general secretary, actor Saayoni Ghosh its youth wing chief (and Abhishek’s successor) and Barrackpore MLA and director Raj Chakraborty the head of its cultural wing.
Bengal CM Mamata Ban-erjee delivered a stern “zero-tolerance” message against corruption, urged party lead-ers to shun “displays of pow-er” and proposed implementation of the one-leader-one-post formula.
She also cautioned leaders against using red-beacon cars, party seniors said.
“She told the meeting that it was now time to work for people.
We are expecting high tides coinciding with the monsoon on June 11 and 26.
Every leader has been asked to be with people and help them.
Nothing else is a priority now,” party secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.
The party, however, did not take a direct stand on how to respond to Trinamool-to-BJP turncoats’ pleas to be taken back in the fold, leaving the decision to the party chief.
“The CM will decide on this at the appropriate time.
She may form a committee later,” Chatterjee said.
MP Saugata Roy said the issue was discussed on Saturday and the CM would take a call.
But it was the 34-year-old Abhishek’s elevation to the national general secretary’s post — held by one of Mamata’s most trusted aides, Subrata Bakshi — that was the day’s most-talked-about development.
Abhishek’s elevation to the national general secretary’s post — held by one of Mamata’s most trusted aides, Subrata Bakshi — that was the day’s most-talked-about development.
It was “a recognition of his critical role” in the Trinamool’s assembly poll victory, party seniors said, referring to how he was targeted by both PM Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah in the election season.
He was also the person behind bringing in political strategist Prashant Kishor, “a move that paid off handsomely”, they added.
The party also made Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay its trade union wing head, Purnendu Basu the peasants’ wing leader and Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar the party’s women’s wing chief besides elevating Saayoni and Chakraborty.
“Watch out for 2024.
Khela hobe and we are going to win it.
Dilli-r masnade hawai choti (The hawai chappal will rule Delhi).
Currently, I will give my 120% to politics and Mamata Banerjee,” Saayoni said.
“I am pleasantly surprised by my appointment and will do my best to discharge my responsibilities in consultation with Didi,” Chakraborty, who was the chairperson of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) in 2019 and 2020, said.
Trinamool secretary-general Chatterjee said this was “a blend of the old with the new”.
The Trinamool would also try to expand its national footprint, with party MPs Saugata Roy, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Derek O’Brien and Abhishek leading this initiative, he added.