Trinamool Congress (TMC) All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee is set to return to grassroots politics for the first time since the party’s recent Assembly election defeat, beginning a series of public engagements from Saturday, according to party sources.

The Diamond Harbour MP is expected to visit Sonarpur South in South 24 Parganas and Beliaghata in Kolkata as part of efforts to reconnect with party workers and boost morale following post-election unrest.

In Sonarpur South, Banerjee is scheduled to visit the residence of Sanju Karmakar, a TMC worker who was reportedly injured in post-poll violence. He will later travel to Beliaghata to meet another party worker, Biswajit Patnaik, to enquire about his condition.

Party insiders say the visits are aimed at reassuring grassroots cadres who, according to the TMC, were targeted in the aftermath of the election results.

Internal unease and leadership questions within TMC

Since the election results, concerns have reportedly grown within sections of the party over the limited public presence of senior leadership at the grassroots level.

Criticism of Banerjee’s absence from field activity had earlier surfaced within the party, with leaders questioning the lack of visible leadership engagement during a politically sensitive phase.

Political observers note that Saturday’s visit to Beliaghata—represented by TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, who had earlier raised questions over party strategy—adds political significance to the programme.

Post-defeat silence and limited public appearances

Following the electoral setback, Banerjee had largely restricted his political activity to internal meetings at the party office near Kalighat and social media statements on national issues such as examination irregularities.

He also remained absent from certain campaign-related activities, further fuelling speculation within political circles regarding internal strategy and leadership coordination.

The party’s electoral performance has triggered renewed scrutiny of the so-called “Diamond Harbour Model,” with sections of the party raising concerns over strategy and organisational direction.

Leaders such as Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Shantanu Sen have reportedly criticised aspects of the party’s approach, including its reliance on consultancy inputs, adding to signs of internal dissatisfaction.

Security revision after change in state policy

Banerjee’s return to public engagements also comes after changes to his security cover. He was earlier under Z+ protection provided by the state police, but security arrangements have now been revised in line with Union Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, limiting him to standard protection for a Member of Parliament.

The BJP has questioned the timing of Banerjee’s return to field politics, arguing that there is no government-instigated political violence in the state.

Opposition leaders have claimed that incidents of unrest reflect public anger rather than organised political action and have blamed the TMC for the prevailing situation in the state.

With Banerjee stepping back into constituency-level outreach, all eyes are now on whether his visit will help consolidate the party’s grassroots base or further expose internal fault lines within the Trinamool Congress.

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