Mohammed Ajmal Siddique, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) State Secretary of the Minority Cell, resigned on Saturday, 6 June from all party posts as well as from the primary membership of the party, citing deep dissatisfaction with the internal functioning of the organisation and specifically naming party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee as a central reason for his departure.

What Siddique Said in His Resignation Letter

In a letter addressed directly to TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Siddique acknowledged that the decision was not taken lightly, noting that he had invested considerable time, energy, and commitment to the party over the years. He said it had been an honour to serve under Mamata Banerjee's leadership and contribute to the party's outreach, but concluded he could no longer continue his association.

Beyond personal reasons, Siddique pointed to what he described as a deteriorating internal atmosphere. He wrote that many hardworking and dedicated workers had, over the past few years, felt ignored, sidelined, and denied the respect they deserved.

Direct Criticism of Abhishek Banerjee

The most pointed section of the resignation letter was directed at Abhishek Banerjee, the party's General Secretary and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Siddique stated that he found it particularly difficult to work under Abhishek's leadership and style of functioning.

'In my experience, his approach to party affairs and interactions with party workers has created an environment where many long-standing and loyal members feel undermined and marginalised. The concentration of power and the lack of proper consultation with party workers have made it increasingly difficult for people like me to fulfil our responsibilities effectively,' Siddique wrote.

Erosion of Democratic Spirit, Workers Allege

Siddique also argued that the democratic spirit that once fostered dialogue and collaborative decision-making had significantly weakened within the TMC. He said genuine concerns of grassroots workers frequently went unheard, fuelling growing frustration among loyal party members. This is not the first time a TMC functionary has raised concerns about centralisation of authority — similar grievances have surfaced periodically from district-level leaders across West Bengal, though rarely as explicitly directed at Abhishek Banerjee by name.

Formal Request and Parting Words

Siddique formally requested Mamata Banerjee to immediately accept his resignation from the post of State Secretary (Minority Cell), all other positions he held, and from the primary membership of the party. He closed by wishing the party and its leadership success in the future, indicating the departure was firm rather than a tactical pressure move.

The TMC had not issued an official response to the resignation as of the time of this report. Whether the party leadership will attempt to persuade Siddique to withdraw his resignation, or accept it, is expected to become clearer in the coming days.