Ex-minister Jyotipriya cites ill-health, resigns from TMC

Kolkata: Trinamool heavyweight and ex-minister Jyotipriya Mallick, out on bail in the ration scam, on Friday wrote to Mamata Banerjee to resign from the party’s national working committee (NWC) for health reasons. Mallick told TOI he was snapping his links with TMC but not joining any other party.Mallick, 68 — a key Mamata aide whom she refers to as Balu — was not in TMC when it was formed in 1998 but has been working with the ex-CM since 1978 when both were in student politics. Grappling with a spate of defections, even by her close confidants, Mamata kept faith in Balu after the May 4 poll drubbing, drafting him into TMC’s highest decision-making body, the NWC.“Mamata Banerjee knows that my health condition has been very bad for the past few years.

It has deteriorated to the point where my blood sugar level has gone up to 350. Both my kidneys are almost failing. I don’t know if I will even live for another two years. I can’t even walk properly. In such a scenario, I don’t think I am fit to be part of any working committee of the party or hold the various posts that were given to me. I have resigned from them all.

I am resigning from TMC and have informed the party chief that I will not be able to participate in any party work,” Mallick said.

“My relationship with Mamata Banerjee dates back to 1978. But the Balu I was in 1978 is not the same in 2026. With such ailing health, there is no point in clinging on to a party post,” he said, adding that he will not join any other party.Speaking about the rebellion in TMC ranks, he said: “That is their personal opinion. They are people of my age as well. They are independent-minded individuals. They felt they understood something and believed it was the right thing to do.”Mallick was arrested by ED on Oct 27, 2023, in connection with the ration scam. After a prolonged period of detention, a special PMLA court in Kolkata granted him bail on Jan 15, 2025, leading to his release from prison. Even after his arrest, Banerjee publicly stood by Mallick, repeatedly claiming that he had been falsely implicated.During the assembly poll campaign, Banerjee had praised Mallick’s performance as a minister.

Despite the corruption allegations and imprisonment, the TMC leadership fielded him as a candidate from his own constituency of Habra in North 24 Parganas, although he was unsuccessful in retaining his seat.BJP state spokesperson Debjit Sarkar took a swipe at the former minister and TMC, saying: “Trinamool as a party hardly exists anymore. From what exactly has the former minister resigned? Those who have been involved in corruption and other illegal activities will have to face the consequences of their actions. A resignation drama will not change that.”