Is Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Set to Become the New Permanent Chief Whip of Trinamool's Parliamentary Team in LS?

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Is Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Set to Become the New Permanent Chief Whip of Trinamool's Parliamentary Team in LS?

Synopsis

Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is positioned to take over as the new chief whip of the Trinamool Congress in the Lok Sabha, following the resignation of Kalyan Banerjee. This development could reshape party dynamics, especially with Ghosh Dastidar's extensive experience and long-standing ties to Mamata Banerjee. Read on to explore the implications of this pivotal change.

Key Takeaways

  • Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is a seasoned politician.
  • Her potential appointment reflects party dynamics.
  • Kalyan Banerjee's resignation highlights leadership challenges.
  • Coordination among party members is crucial.
  • Ghosh Dastidar's experience enhances her candidacy.

Kolkata, Aug 4 (NationPress) Veteran party member and four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha representative Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is emerging as the leading candidate for the position of new chief whip for the Trinamool Congress’ Parliamentary team in the Lok Sabha. The position became vacant on Monday due to the resignation of esteemed party member Kalyan Banerjee.

Banerjee declared his resignation during a virtual meeting led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday afternoon, which included all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members of the Trinamool Congress.

A party source indicated that Ghosh Dastidar has been one of the most senior and long-serving Lok Sabha members of the Trinamool Congress since 2009.

“During the virtual meeting, Sudip Bandopadhyay was replaced by the party’s general secretary Abhishek Banerjee as the leader of the Trinamool Congress’ Parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha due to Bandopadhyay’s health issues. Saugata Roy, another veteran member, is also dealing with age-related health concerns. With Kalyan Banerjee’s resignation, Ghosh Dastidar naturally emerges as the preferred choice for the new Permanent Chief Whip,” mentioned a senior leader and Lok Sabha member of the Trinamool Congress, who requested anonymity.

While actress-turned-politician and party Lok Sabha member from Birbhum constituency, Satabdi Roy, is also a four-time member since 2009, she has not been regarded as a seasoned politician like Bandopadhyay, Roy, Banerjee, and Ghosh Dastidar.

“In many respects, Ghosh Dastidar has more seniority since she has been aligned with Mamata Banerjee since the founding of the Trinamool Congress on January 1, 1998.

Upon announcing his resignation as the party’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Banerjee informed the media that his decision was influenced by a moral obligation after the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction during the virtual meeting regarding the lack of coordination among party MPs on the floor of the house.

Kalyan Banerjee had faced criticism from party leadership, including the Chief Minister, over a recent conflict with fellow party Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra regarding comments made by Banerjee concerning the rape of a law college student at the college premises in Kasba, south Kolkata.

Banerjee even resorted to personal attacks against Moitra regarding her recent marriage to a senior advocate of the Supreme Court, and former Lok Sabha member from Puri constituency in Odisha, Pinaki Misra.

Point of View

It is crucial to observe that the potential appointment of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as the new chief whip reflects a strategic move by the Trinamool Congress. Her long-standing association with the party's leadership and her experience in the Lok Sabha position her uniquely to address the challenges ahead. The ongoing internal dynamics illustrate the necessity for unity and coordination among party members.
NationPress
20/08/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar?
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is a veteran politician and four-time Lok Sabha member representing the Trinamool Congress.
What position is Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar being considered for?
She is the front-runner to become the new chief whip of the Trinamool Congress’ Parliamentary team in the Lok Sabha.
Why did Kalyan Banerjee resign?
Kalyan Banerjee resigned following a virtual meeting due to a moral obligation expressed by the Chief Minister regarding party coordination.
What are the implications of this change?
This change could reshape the party dynamics and enhance coordination among the Trinamool Congress members.
What are Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar's qualifications?
She has been a member of Lok Sabha since 2009 and has a long-standing association with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress.