Inside the TMC crisis: Sagarika Ghose on power, loyalty, and politics

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Sagarika Ghose, Rajya Sabha MP, Trinamool Congress, discusses the unprecedented political crisis facing the Trinamool Congress following its defeat in the West Bengal 2026 Assembly election. As the party grapples with defections by senior leaders, legislators, and parliamentarians, Ghose offers her perspective on the reasons behind the exodus, the role of the BJP, and the future of Mamata Banerjee's political project. The conversation examines allegations of political intimidation, the use of investigative agencies against opposition leaders, questions surrounding the conduct of the 2026 election, and the growing debate over internal democracy within the Trinamool Congress. Ghose also reflects on Mamata Banerjee's leadership, Abhishek Banerjee's role in the party, the ideological foundations of the Trinamool Congress, and the party's relationship with the Congress and the INDIA alliance. As Bengal's political landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation, this discussion explores whether the Trinamool Congress can recover from its current crisis and what the developments mean for opposition politics in India. Chapters: 00:00 | Intro: Is Trinamool Congress falling apart? 02:05 | Sagarika Ghosh on TMC rebellion & mass defections 05:34 | Allegations of political vendetta and state power misuse 07:42 | Why are Mamata Banerjee's loyalists deserting her? 12:49 | Was power the only glue holding TMC together? 14:28 | BJP's strategy, delimitation & creating an 'artificial majority' 19:45 | Did IPAC's role trigger discontent inside TMC? 24:00 | Was the 2026 Bengal election free and fair? 29:30 | Why Is TMC's core leadership surrendering to BJP? 31:42 | Does Trinamool Congress have an ideology? 35:45 | TMC's "grassroots liberalism" and Bengali identity explained 39:04 | TMC-Congress talks and the future of INDIA alliance 41:01 | Is this the end of Mamata Banerjee? 42:21 | Is Abhishek Banerjee's political future in danger? 44:34 | Conclusion: Can Mamata Banerjee rebuild TMC? Perfect for: • Viewers interested in West Bengal politics and the future of the Trinamool Congress • Audiences following the INDIA alliance and opposition politics in India • Students of Indian democracy, elections, and federal politics • Those interested in Mamata Banerjee's political journey and leadership style • Anyone seeking to understand the implications of political defections and party realignments Credits: Host: Suhrid Sankar Chattopadhyay Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar If you found this discussion insightful, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - Frontline (@frontline_india) / X Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295 #sagarikaghose #MamataBanerjee #TrinamoolCongress #WestBengalPolitics #FrontlineConversations #INDIAAlliance #BJP #AbhishekBanerjee #PoliticalInterview #IndianPolitics #Democracy #ElectionPolitics #OppositionPolitics #WestBengal #CurrentAffairs #PoliticalAnalysis