Sat Dec 07 03:55:46 UTC 2024: ## Mamata Banerjee Deflects Succession Questions, Emphasizes Collective Leadership in TMC

**Kolkata, West Bengal –** West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee has dismissed speculation about her successor, emphasizing that any decision on the matter will be a collective one made by the party leadership, not a solo decision by her.

In an interview with News 18 Bangla on Friday, Banerjee stated, “I am not the party; we are the party. It is a collective family, and decisions will be made collectively.” She deflected questions about her potential replacement with a counter-question, highlighting the TMC’s commitment to collective decision-making and disciplined structure.

Banerjee’s comments come amidst ongoing tensions within the TMC between veteran leaders and a younger generation of leaders, notably those considered close to Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s national general secretary and her nephew. While acknowledging the contributions of both factions, she stressed that “Everyone is important. Today’s newcomer will be tomorrow’s veteran.”

Banerjee also criticized the role of political consultants, indirectly targeting I-PAC, a firm that has worked with the TMC since 2019. She asserted that while consultants may conduct surveys and strategize, “elections aren’t won by them,” emphasizing the crucial role of grassroots workers in electoral success. The Chief Minister’s remarks suggest a prioritization of party unity and the experience of long-standing members over external influence.

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