CPI(M)’s Md Salim says there is no lobby in the party as estranged leader Pratik Ur Rahaman raises questions about lobbying and favouritism

In his statement on Friday, February 20, 2026, Mohammad Salim, West Bengal State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), rejected the allegations of lobbying and nepotism made by his estranged leader Pratik Ur Rahaman, and said, “There is no lobby in the party that favors anyone.”

The senior CPI(M) leader avoided asking Mr Rahaman a direct question as political speculations mount that he is likely to join the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Mr Salim also targeted the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying neither party had “original” young leaders and most of them were “stolen”, “rented” or “kidnapped” from other parties. His remarks came a few days after Mr. Rahaman resigned from his post in the CPI(M) and made public his differences with the State leadership.

The veteran CPI(M) leader also added that individual exits from the party cannot weaken it. “The CPI(M) is not so weak that it ends just because some people quit… We can only try to save people (referring to Mr. Rahaman) when they are drowning, but at the same time we have to be alert so that you too do not die trying to save someone,” Mr. Salim added.

Mr. Salim also added that this is just the beginning and over time many people will switch sides between TMC and BJP before the elections. He also added that since Mr. Rahaman questioned the CPI(M), his brand value increased and helped him come into limelight.

Following his departure from the left, Mr. Rahaman gave numerous interviews to local media outlets and voiced his differences with the party, especially Salim. He also heaped praise on TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, leading to serious political speculation that she may soon merge with the ruling party.

“Like our CM Mamata Banerjee fought in the Supreme Court, no other CM has done this. They (CPI(M)) say this is all a stunt. I ask, why did the CPI(M) leader Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan or MA Baby not make this show? This would have at least sent a message to the people,” Mr. Rahaman told a local media outlet. He also praised Lakshmir Bhandar (social security scheme for women) launched by TMC.

He also questioned the CPI(M) leadership’s decision to meet suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir to discuss an alliance in the upcoming 2026 State Assembly elections. Mr Rahaman also claimed that he was not allowed to ask questions within his own party and was not allowed to enter party meetings, both public and closed meetings.

Mr. Rahaman was a member of the West Bengal State committee and resigned from his post in the party on February 15, citing differences between the party’s leadership and his views.

Mr. Rahaman’s resignation letter said, “I, Pratik Ur Rahaman, am a full-time employee of the party. Currently, I cannot adapt to some ideologies and steps taken by the State and district committee of the party… Therefore, I have decided to resign from my post in the party.”

The estranged leader has fought against TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee from Diamond Harbor constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.