The political troubles for All India Trinamool Congress appear to be intensifying following its heavy electoral setback in West Bengal, with resignations, factional tensions and organisational cracks surfacing across multiple levels of the party.

Led by Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress is now dealing with growing unrest inside municipal bodies and among senior leaders, creating fresh opportunities for the rival Bharatiya Janata Party to strengthen its position in local governance institutions.

Over the past several days, close to 100 councillors from different municipalities have reportedly stepped down, sparking fears that several civic boards could collapse before next year’s municipal elections.

Reports from Bengal suggest the situation has become serious enough for administrators to be appointed in some municipalities where elected representatives have either resigned or stopped attending office.

The turmoil has also fuelled speculation surrounding Firhad Hakim, a close associate of Mamata Banerjee and the current Mayor of Kolkata. According to political buzz, Hakim has allegedly expressed a desire to step down amid rising tensions within the party, although no official announcement has been made.

The current crisis is being viewed by many observers as one of the biggest challenges faced by the Trinamool Congress since Mamata Banerjee formed the party in 1998 after breaking away from the Congress.

The wave of resignations reportedly accelerated after the BJP-led state administration signalled that activities and financial decisions of municipal bodies would be closely examined. Several councillors are believed to be worried about possible investigations linked to corruption and administrative irregularities.

In recent weeks, multiple Trinamool-linked councillors have been arrested in connection with allegations involving extortion and intimidation, adding to anxiety within the party ranks.

The political atmosphere became even more tense after the death of Sanjay Das, a councillor from South Dum Dum who was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Das had previously faced allegations linked to corruption and was known to be politically connected within the party structure.

Municipalities in North 24 Parganas and nearby industrial regions have witnessed some of the biggest resignations. In places like Bhatpara, Halisahar and Kanchrapara, large groups of councillors resigned together, leaving civic functioning severely affected.

Former office-bearers from these municipalities have blamed financial difficulties, administrative paralysis and lack of guidance from the party leadership for their decisions to quit.

The crisis has also spread to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Tensions escalated after demolition notices were reportedly issued against several properties allegedly linked to Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and a key Trinamool leader.

The controversy revived discussions around internal differences between Abhishek Banerjee and Firhad Hakim, with political observers speculating about growing divisions inside the party.

Further embarrassment followed when Trinamool councillors were reportedly forced to conduct a municipal session outside the main chamber after finding it locked. Hakim later described the episode as disrespectful to elected representatives.

The instability has begun affecting municipal services as well, raising concerns ahead of the monsoon season. With several civic bodies paralysed, questions are now being raised over preparedness related to drainage systems, sanitation and emergency response.

At the political level, signs of dissatisfaction within the Trinamool Congress have become increasingly visible.

Only a limited number of party MLAs reportedly attended a recent protest organised against the BJP government, highlighting the weakening internal unity within the organisation.

Adding to the speculation, senior Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned from her organisational role in the party and later attended an administrative meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Her appearance at the event triggered rumours about a possible political shift.

Dastidar has openly criticised the party’s functioning in recent weeks, including its dependence on political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee. In her resignation remarks, she suggested that outsourcing political management had damaged the party’s organisational strength.

She also publicly urged Mamata Banerjee to personally take control of the situation amid growing allegations involving crime, corruption and administrative decline.

The party is also reportedly facing difficulties in identifying candidates for the upcoming Nandigram by-election, adding to concerns about weakening grassroots confidence.

With resignations mounting, senior leaders expressing frustration and civic bodies slipping into uncertainty, the Trinamool Congress is confronting a turbulent political moment that could significantly shape Bengal’s future political landscape.