TMC's Kunal Ghosh Meets Derek O'Brien After Exclusion As LS Campaigner: ‘Want To Continue With My Political Identity’

The TMC on Thursday released a new list of "star campaigners," excluding Ghosh, and has previously released a statement announcing its decision to remove Ghosh as state general secretary.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh during a press conference at party office, in Kolkata, Sunday, April 7, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

A day after TMC leader Kunal Ghosh's dismissal as the state general secretary of Trinamool Congress, he found himself excluded from the list of star campaigners of the party on Friday. However, despite this, Ghosh expressed his willingness to serve the TMC as a grassroots worker after he met MP Derek O'Brien on Saturday.

Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "I was in the Trinamool family, I am and will be... I am a proud worker of the Trinamool. My leader is Mamata Banerjee, and my Secretary-General is Abhishek Banerjee. I am a member of the Trinamool family and I want to continue with my political identity."

#WATCH | Ballygunge, West Bengal: After meeting TMC MP Derek O'Brien, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh says, "I was in the Trinamool family, I am and will be... I am a proud worker of the Trinamool. My leader is Mamata Banerjee, and my Secretary General is Abhishek Banerjee. I am a member… pic.twitter.com/FC1IZqQbDV

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024

His removal came in the aftermath of his appearance alongside TMC defector and BJP Kolkata Uttar candidate Tapas Roy at a blood donation drive on Wednesday, drawing criticism from the TMC leadership.

The TMC on Thursday released a new list of "star campaigners," excluding Ghosh but including the names of 38 other leaders, including newcomers like Ritabrata Banerjee, minister Birbaha Hansda, and candidate Saayoni Ghosh. The party had previously released a statement announcing its decision to remove Ghosh as state general secretary.

Despite the setback, Ghosh remained undeterred to oppose Modi and pledged his dedication to campaigning for the party across Bengal. "No problem, I would love to be on the road, working for the party on the field," he said, PTI reported.

Furthermore, Ghosh urged voters to elect TMC candidates in all 42 constituencies in the state, including Kolkata Uttar, where Sudip Bandyopadhyay is contesting for the TMC.

Ghosh Lashes Out Against Bandyopadhy's Candidacy

Speaking against Bandyopadhy's candidacy on multiple occasions in the past, Ghosh contended that the seasoned politician had done nothing for the seat in the previous five years. "If the leader of the opposition in assembly Suvendu Adhikari can crisscross the state in such scorching heat and campaign for his party candidates, why can't our leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay step outside Kolkata Uttar and campaign?" Ghosh questioned.

While Ghosh faced scrutiny for his actions, some party members, including TMC Rajya Sabha spokesperson Santanu Sen and West Bengal minister Bratya Basu, acknowledged his past contributions to the party. "We cannot forget how he steadfastly fought against BJP's sinister campaign in recent times. I think this factor should also be kept in mind though there is a thing called party discipline," Sen said, as quoted by PTI.

"Kunal Ghosh has been expressing views that don't align with the party. Mr Ghosh was previously relieved from his role as party spokesperson. Now he has been removed from the position of general secretary of the state organization," the TMC said in a statement on May 1.

Ghosh's tenure within the TMC has been marked by challenges, including his arrest in connection with the Saradha Chit fund scam in 2013, which led to his suspension from the party.

Despite the setbacks, Ghosh has remained an active member of the TMC, serving as a spokesperson since July 2020 and being appointed as the party's state general secretary in June 2021.