Kolkata, Feb 4 (PTI) – Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Madan Mitra has apologized for his recent comments accusing the political consultancy firm I-PAC of "extortion" and damaging the party’s image. The remarks, made by Mitra in a media interaction, sparked controversy within the TMC and prompted calls for reconciliation.
In a letter addressed to TMC state president Subrata Bakshi, Mitra expressed regret over his statements, acknowledging that they had caused harm to the party’s reputation. The Kamarhati MLA and former West Bengal minister also conveyed that TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was "hurt" by his words.
"I request the party to forgive me, without misunderstanding my intentions," Mitra wrote in his apology letter.
Mitra, who has been an outspoken figure within the TMC, confirmed in an interview with PTI that he had taken the initiative to write the apology letter. "My party did not ask me to apologize or write this letter. I did it on my own after realizing that my comments may have caused damage to the party," he stated.
Earlier, during an interview with a local news outlet, Mitra had accused I-PAC of facilitating "opportunistic individuals" within the party, claiming this had tarnished Mamata Banerjee’s reputation. He further suggested that I-PAC, which had been hired to assist the TMC in election campaigns, had overstepped its professional boundaries by micromanaging the personal behavior of party members.
Referring to the Chief Minister, Mitra remarked, "Mamata Banerjee never had any scandal attached to her name. However, the stain on her reputation now is due to the actions of the 'Pacwalas' (I-PAC members)."
Mitra’s allegations are not entirely new. When I-PAC began working with TMC ahead of the 2021 assembly elections, the firm faced criticism from various factions within the party. Many TMC leaders, especially in rural areas, expressed dissatisfaction with I-PAC’s growing influence, accusing the consultancy of creating a "parallel organization" within the party and interfering with internal affairs.
The fallout from Mitra’s comments has divided opinions within the party. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh suggested that the matter should be addressed by senior leadership, while senior minister Firhad Hakim emphasized the need to resolve such issues within the party itself.
As of now, Mitra's apology has not completely quelled the ongoing debate surrounding I-PAC’s role in TMC’s operations.
In a letter addressed to TMC state president Subrata Bakshi, Mitra expressed regret over his statements, acknowledging that they had caused harm to the party’s reputation. The Kamarhati MLA and former West Bengal minister also conveyed that TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was "hurt" by his words.
"I request the party to forgive me, without misunderstanding my intentions," Mitra wrote in his apology letter.
Mitra, who has been an outspoken figure within the TMC, confirmed in an interview with PTI that he had taken the initiative to write the apology letter. "My party did not ask me to apologize or write this letter. I did it on my own after realizing that my comments may have caused damage to the party," he stated.
Earlier, during an interview with a local news outlet, Mitra had accused I-PAC of facilitating "opportunistic individuals" within the party, claiming this had tarnished Mamata Banerjee’s reputation. He further suggested that I-PAC, which had been hired to assist the TMC in election campaigns, had overstepped its professional boundaries by micromanaging the personal behavior of party members.
Referring to the Chief Minister, Mitra remarked, "Mamata Banerjee never had any scandal attached to her name. However, the stain on her reputation now is due to the actions of the 'Pacwalas' (I-PAC members)."
Mitra’s allegations are not entirely new. When I-PAC began working with TMC ahead of the 2021 assembly elections, the firm faced criticism from various factions within the party. Many TMC leaders, especially in rural areas, expressed dissatisfaction with I-PAC’s growing influence, accusing the consultancy of creating a "parallel organization" within the party and interfering with internal affairs.
The fallout from Mitra’s comments has divided opinions within the party. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh suggested that the matter should be addressed by senior leadership, while senior minister Firhad Hakim emphasized the need to resolve such issues within the party itself.
As of now, Mitra's apology has not completely quelled the ongoing debate surrounding I-PAC’s role in TMC’s operations.
