Jyotipriya Mallick quits all TMC organisational posts, cites health
Synopsis
Just seven days after being inducted into TMC's National Working Committee, Jyotipriya Mallick — arrested in the ration scam, bailed out, then defeated in Habra by over 31,000 votes — has quit all party organisational posts. His health explanation is on record, but the speed of the exit raises questions about his standing inside the Banerjee camp.
Key Takeaways
Jyotipriya Mallick resigned from all Trinamool Congress organisational posts on 19 June , citing diabetes and kidney complications.
He had been inducted into the TMC's National Working Committee just seven days before his resignation.
Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 27 October 2023 in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution scam and was released on bail in January 2025 .
He lost the Habra seat in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections to BJP 's Debdas Mondal by a margin of over 31,000 votes .
Mallick represented constituencies in North 24 Parganas across four terms from 2001 to 2026 .
Jyotipriya Mallick, a four-time All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator and former minister in the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Cabinet, resigned from all organisational posts within the party on Friday, 19 June. The resignation came barely seven days after Mallick was inducted into the TMC's National Working Committee — a swift reversal that has drawn attention inside the party.
Why Mallick Resigned
Mallick cited deteriorating health as the official reason for stepping down. 'I am a patient of high blood sugar. My kidney has already been affected by diabetes. So, in such a situation, it is medically impossible for me to remain associated with the organisational activities of the Trinamool Congress and hence I have decided to quit all organisational posts,' he said.
The timing, however, is notable. Mallick had only been re-inducted into the TMC's National Working Committee the previous week — making the exit within a week of his return to formal party structures an unusually abrupt turn.
Mallick's Political and Legal Background
Mallick represented the Gaighata Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district from 2001 to 2011, and subsequently the Habra Assembly constituency in the same district from 2011 to 2026. He was widely regarded as a close confidant of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who publicly praised him on multiple occasions.
On 27 October 2023, Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of alleged involvement in the multi-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal, in his capacity as the state's former food and supplies minister. He was serving as the state forest minister at the time of his arrest. After spending over a year in ED and judicial custody, he was released on bail in January 2025.
Following his release, Mallick continued as a ruling party legislator but was not allotted any ministerial portfolio. He was renominated as the TMC candidate from Habra in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, but lost to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Debdas Mondal by a margin of over 31,000 votes.
Mamata Banerjee's Earlier Defence
Banerjee had been vocal in her opposition to Mallick's arrest by the ED, publicly characterising it as political vendetta. His reinstatement to the National Working Committee last week was widely seen as a signal of continued backing from the party leadership — making Friday's resignation all the more unexpected.
What Comes Next
Mallick retains his status as a TMC legislator for now, though his electoral defeat in Habra means he is no longer a sitting member of the West Bengal Assembly. The party has not issued a formal response to his resignation. Whether this marks a quiet exit from active politics or a temporary pause tied to his health and legal proceedings remains to be seen.
Point of View
A bail stint, and a heavy electoral defeat — suggested a deliberate rehabilitation signal. That the signal was reversed so quickly points either to internal resistance the party has not acknowledged, or to Mallick himself recalibrating his position after the Habra loss. Either way, the episode underscores how the ration scam cases continue to create uncomfortable optics for the TMC, even as the party tries to manage its accused-but-acquitted members back into the fold.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jyotipriya Mallick resign from Trinamool Congress organisational posts?
Mallick cited poor health as the reason, specifically stating that diabetes-related kidney damage made it medically impossible to continue with party organisational work. He submitted his resignation on 19 June, just seven days after being inducted into the TMC's National Working Committee.
What is the ration distribution scam linked to Jyotipriya Mallick?
Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 27 October 2023 on charges of alleged involvement in a multi-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal, related to his earlier role as the state's food and supplies minister. He was released on bail in January 2025 after spending over a year in custody.
How did Jyotipriya Mallick perform in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections?
Mallick lost his Habra seat to BJP candidate Debdas Mondal by a margin of over 31,000 votes in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections. He had held the Habra constituency since 2011.
What was Mamata Banerjee's stance on Mallick's ED arrest?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was publicly vocal against Mallick's arrest, describing it as political vendetta by the central agencies. She had also praised him on multiple public occasions, and his re-induction into the National Working Committee was seen as an extension of that support.
Does Mallick remain a member of the Trinamool Congress after his resignation?
Mallick has resigned only from organisational posts within the TMC; he has not quit the party itself. However, his electoral defeat in Habra means he is no longer a sitting member of the West Bengal Assembly.
