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

“There is no lobby in the party that favours anyone,” Mohammad Salim, West Bengal State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said on Friday (February 20, 2026), rejecting allegations of lobbying and favouritism raised by estranged leader Pratik Ur Rahaman. 

The senior CPI(M) leader avoided taking any direct questions on Mr. Rahaman, even as political speculation grows about the latter possibly joining the ruling Trinamool Congress. 

Mr. Salim also aimed the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying neither party has “original” young leaders and that most are “stolen”, “rented” or “poached” from other parties. His remarks come days after Mr. Rahaman resigned from his post in the CPI(M) and publicly aired his differences with the State leadership. 

The veteran CPI(M) leader further added that individual exits from the party cannot weaken the party. “CPI(M) is not that weak that it will end because some people have resigned… We can only try to save people (referring to Mr Rahaman) when they are drowning, but we must also stay alert so that you yourself do not die trying to save someone,” Mr. Salim added. 

Mr. Salim further added that this is just the beginning, and with time, many people will change sides between TMC and BJP before the elections. He also added that Mr. Rahaman’s brand value is increasing because he is questioning CPI(M) and has helped him come to the limelight. 

After his estrangement from the left, Mr. Rahaman has given multiple interviews to local media houses and been vocal about his differences with the party, especially Mr Salim. He has also showered praises on the TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, giving rise to serious political speculation that he may soon be joining hands with the ruling party. 

“The way our CM, Mamata Banerjee, fought at the Supreme Court, no other CM has done this. They (CPI(M)) are saying this is all a stunt. I ask, why did CPI(M) leader Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, or M.A. Baby, not do this stunt? This would have at least sent a message to the public,” Mr. Rahaman told a local media house. He also went on to praise the Lakshmir Bhandar (social security scheme for women) started by the TMC. 

He also questioned the CPI(M) leadership’s decision to meet with suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir for a discussion on an alliance in the upcoming 2026 State Assembly elections. Mr. Rahaman has also accused that he was not allowed to ask questions inside his own party and that he was not allowed inside party meetings, both public and closed-door meetings.  

Mr. Rahaman was a West Bengal State committee member who resigned from his position at the party on February 15, citing differences with the party’s leadership and their views. 

“I, Pratik Ur Rahaman, am a full-time worker at the party. Currently, I am not able to align with some ideologies and steps taken by the State and district committee of the party… Hence, I have decided to resign from my post in the party,” Mr. Rahaman’s resignation letter stated. 

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