TMC minority cell chief Mosaraf Hussen quits party post, signals rebel tilt
Synopsis
Trinamool Congress MLA Mosaraf Hussen's resignation as state minority cell chief is less a personal decision and more a political signal — four of five TMC MLAs from North Dinajpur have now broken ranks, and Hussen's open praise for BJP Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari suggests the district's Trinamool bloc is fragmenting fast ahead of the state budget session.
Key Takeaways
Mosaraf Hussen , TMC MLA from Itahar and state minority cell chief, resigned from his party post on 21 June .
He cited his mother's illness but also admitted contact with the rebel Trinamool camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee .
4 out of 5 Trinamool MLAs from North Dinajpur have now joined the rebel faction.
Hussen praised BJP Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and expressed a desire to work under his leadership.
He was absent during the first Budget session on Friday and is expected to attend the Assembly on Monday for the 2026-27 budget presentation.
Trinamool Congress MLA and state minority cell chief Mosaraf Hussen on Sunday, 21 June resigned from his party post, citing his mother's illness — but also openly acknowledging ties with the rebel faction of Trinamool MLAs and admiring Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, in a statement that signals a clear political realignment.
What Hussen Said
Announcing his decision at a press conference held at his residence, Hussen — the MLA from Itahar constituency in North Dinajpur district — said he could no longer continue in the minority cell role. 'I am no longer able to work as before due to the change in the state government. Moreover, my mother returned home from Mecca a few days ago due to illness. In this condition, I have not been able to go to the Assembly for a few days. Therefore, I do not want to work for the minority cell of the Trinamool Congress,' he said.
The Rebel Camp Connection
Hussen's resignation comes against the backdrop of a growing split within the Trinamool Congress in North Dinajpur. Of the five Trinamool MLAs from the district, four have already aligned with the rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee, the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly. Hussen confirmed he has contacts with this group and has held talks with Banerjee, further cementing speculation that he is drifting away from the Mamata Banerjee camp.
Absence During Budget Session Raised Flags
The resignation did not come entirely without warning. When the first Budget session of the new state government commenced on Friday, Hussen was conspicuously absent from the Assembly, triggering immediate speculation about his political loyalties. His Sunday press conference effectively confirmed what many had suspected.
Praise for CM Adhikari
Notably, Hussen was unusually effusive about Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. 'The Chief Minister was once an observer of this district for our party. Since then, we have had a good relationship with him. Moreover, it is important to develop the area,' Hussen said. He added that he wishes to work for the development of the state under Adhikari's leadership — a remarkable statement for a sitting Trinamool MLA to make publicly.
What Comes Next
Hussen indicated he is likely to attend the Assembly on Monday, when the first budget of the new BJP government for the financial year 2026-27 is set to be presented. His attendance — and which side of the aisle he sits with — will be closely watched as a further indicator of his political direction.
Point of View
But the political arithmetic tells a different story. When four of five district MLAs have already defected to a rebel camp, the fifth's departure is a pattern, not an anomaly. More telling is his public endorsement of BJP Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari — a line that no loyalist Trinamool MLA would cross lightly. The timing, on the eve of the new government's first budget, suggests this is a calculated move rather than a reluctant exit. The Mamata Banerjee camp's hold on North Dinajpur now looks structurally compromised, and Monday's Assembly attendance will confirm whether Hussen is a fence-sitter or a full convert.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mosaraf Hussen resign from the Trinamool Congress minority cell?
Hussen cited his mother's illness as the primary reason for stepping down as TMC state minority cell chief on 21 June. However, he also acknowledged contacts with the rebel Trinamool camp and praised BJP Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, suggesting political motivations beyond personal circumstances.
Who is leading the rebel Trinamool camp Hussen is linked to?
The rebel faction is led by Ritabrata Banerjee, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal state Assembly. Four of the five Trinamool MLAs from North Dinajpur district have already aligned with this group.
What is the significance of Hussen's absence during the Budget session?
Hussen was absent when the first Budget session of the new state government began on Friday, raising immediate questions about his political alignment. His subsequent press conference confirmed speculation that he had distanced himself from the Mamata Banerjee camp.
Will Hussen attend the state Assembly for the budget?
Hussen said he is likely to attend the Assembly on Monday, when the new BJP government presents its first budget for the financial year 2026-27. His presence and seating will be closely watched for further signals of his political direction.
How many TMC MLAs from North Dinajpur have joined the rebel camp?
Four out of five Trinamool Congress MLAs from North Dinajpur district have already joined the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee. Hussen's resignation from his party post makes his own alignment the subject of intense political scrutiny.
