The streets of South Kolkata witnessed an overnight transformation that has sent ripples across political corridors. What began as a visual campaign with yellow flags bearing the slogan “অধিনায়ক অভিষেক” (Captain Abhishek), soon took a new turn with the sudden appearance of a hoarding featuring Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the message “সর্বাধিনায়িকা জয় হে” (Hail the Supreme Leader).
This campaign, initiated by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporter group ‘FAM’, has reignited speculation about the internal dynamics of the party—especially regarding the evolving roles of Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee.
⚡ What Sparked the Buzz?
The yellow flags across South Kolkata quickly grabbed attention, showcasing TMC’s All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee as the ‘Captain’. But what stirred curiosity—and controversy—was the absence of Mamata Banerjee’s image or any direct reference to her leadership in the first wave of banners.
A day later, ‘FAM’ installed a new hoarding right next to those flags, featuring Mamata’s image and declaring her the “Supreme Leader”.
This sudden visual shift has been interpreted by many as a damage-control measure, following internal and public criticism.
🗣️ FAM Responds
Sourav Das, one of the key organizers of FAM, clarified:
“We don’t see Didi (Mamata) and Dada (Abhishek) separately. We are the biggest supporter community on social media among political parties. We had time constraints; hence we put the flags first and followed it with Didi’s hoarding the next day.”
He also added that none of the FAM members are full-time political workers, and they juggle this campaign alongside their day jobs.
🔥 Dissent within the Party?
Despite the explanation, murmurs within the party have not died down. A senior TMC leader remarked:
“If the intention was truly balanced, the hoarding of the Supreme Leader should have gone up first. But that didn’t happen.”
What has intensified the situation further is that the TMC’s official party flags were placed beside these FAM installations in various parts of South Kolkata, giving an even more official aura to what many thought was a ‘supporter-led’ campaign.
📅 The Strategy Meeting
Adding fuel to the fire, FAM is organizing a “strategy session” this Sunday at the Kaltan Community Hall in Gangulibagan. The purpose? To discuss the social media roadmap for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections.
Interestingly, the hoardings now prominently feature both Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee, sending a possible reconciliatory message to both party cadres and the public.
🏛️ Power Transition in Motion?
The visual drama comes shortly after Abhishek led a virtual meeting on the voter list, attended by over 4,500 TMC leaders—including MPs, MLAs, and district presidents. That meeting signaled a strong show of confidence in Abhishek’s leadership.
Adding to that, during a recent press conference at Nabanna, Mamata herself declared that in her absence (due to an upcoming London tour), the party’s responsibilities will be managed by state president Subrata Bakshi and Abhishek Banerjee.
This official handover of duties seems to have empowered Abhishek to re-enter the political field with renewed energy—hence the declaration of him as “Captain” by his supporters. But the sudden move to add Mamata’s image and title as “Supreme Leader” seems to acknowledge the need for balance in public perception.
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