In certain areas, including Jadavpur, the posters came up side by side, sparking political speculation. File photo of Mamata Banerjee
| Photo Credit: ANI

A day after posters of ‘Captain Abhishek’ surfaced in parts of Kolkata, posters of ‘Supreme leader Mamata’ came up in parts of the city on Saturday (March 22, 2025). The posters are attributed to ‘FAM for TMC’, a group of supporters of the Trinamool Congress who are active on social media.

The developments assume significance amidst speculation of a perceived power struggle between the new generation and the old guard of the Trinamool Congress, against the backdrop of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the U.K. Ms. Banerjee had delegated the responsibility of her party to collective leadership, comprising her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, and party State president Subrata Bakshi, who will report to her during her week-long visit.

Last week, Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee held a virtual meeting of party rank and file, including MPs, MLAs and district presidents, where he set out the strategy for the 2026 Assembly election in the State.

FAM refers to ‘Fearless AITC (All India Trinamool Congress) Members. The group annually organises Mr. Abhishek Banerjee’s birthday in front of his south Kolkata residence.

In certain areas, including Jadavpur, the posters came up side by side, sparking political speculation. Over the past few years, the debate over whether the new leadership should take over the old guard has been raging in the West Bengal ruling party.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress social media cell is scheduled to have a meeting on Sunday (March 23, 2025).

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh said the posters signified nothing and “anybody who has resources at their disposal can put up posters”. “There is a fight in the party (TMC) on who will be the leader. How does it matter to the people?” Mr. Ghosh said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said that the posters were “just a waste of funds”. “They (the TMC) have a lot of unaccounted money, which they have got from scams and electoral bonds, and they can go on pasting and putting up posters,” Mr. Bhattacharya said.

Ms. Banerjee had said she would look after the entire party, senior Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy said. “There is no doubt that she is the party supremo. She has given the responsibility to some others only for seven days, so it does not make any difference,” Mr. Roy said.