Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said on Thursday that before going abroad for his medical treatment, he had given a report to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, recommending the removal of civic bodies and taking action against councillors in around 120 municipalities where the party lagged behind the BJP in this year’s Lok Sabha polls.

Abhishek said he also sent Mamata a report suggesting changes of party presidents in a few districts ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls and he was awaiting her approval.

"I have done my job.... Now, the implementation of these recommendations is up to her (Mamata)," Abhishek said during an informal meeting with a few chosen journalists on the sidelines of his birthday celebrations at Kalighat.

On Thursday, thousands of party workers, particularly the young, gathered outside his Kalighat office with cakes, posters and banners of their leader to celebrate the birthday of the Diamond Harbour MP and Trinamool No. 2.

Abhishek met them as well as a group of party leaders, including MLAs and MPs, cut cakes and posed with his followers.

During the July 21 Martyrs' Day rally, Abhishek publicly stated that the party would act within three months against underperforming functionaries in TMC-run civic and rural bodies, as well as organisational heads in areas where the party fell behind the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Now that the three-month deadline is over, party members are eager to see how the top leadership handles these non-performers.

Despite the party bagging 29 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats, seven more than what it won in 2019, the BJP was ahead of Trinamool in at least 74 municipalities out of 125 in the state.

Abhishek's performance report does not include the assessment of the functionaries of Calcutta Municipal Corporation.

Abhishek’s office is currently reviewing the performance of town presidents in the Lok Sabha polls. A report on this is to be submitted soon.

"Similar reports and recommendations for underperformers in rural areas will also be done," Abhishek said.

Since the 2021 Assembly elections, Abhishek Banerjee's Camac Street office has overseen organisational matters for the ruling Trinamool, shaping its strategy and approach toward the Opposition.

However, after the results of this year's Lok Sabha polls, in which the party won 29 out of 42 seats under Abhishek’s mentorship, his office has become less active with political affairs increasingly handled by state president Subrata Bakshi’s office.

A senior Trinamool leader noted that Abhishek’s public comments about his recommendations carry significance as it would put pressure on Mamata Banerjee to take prompt action.

"Previously, Abhishek’s office managed leadership changes.... Now, by stating he has done his bit and left the implementation to his aunt, he has put pressure on the top leadership to carry out the rejig," the TMC leader said.

A leader close to Abhishek said he had been distancing from the TMC's state of affairs as some of his suggestions and recommendations relating to the functioning of the party and government were not addressed.

"During the Sandeshkhali incident, the party has successfully handled the issue under Abhishek's leadership. But the party struggled to deploy its defensive machinery during the RG Kar crisis, during which Abhishek was absent," said the leader.

A party insider said the rejig process might begin after the November 13 by-elections to six Assembly seats.

"It could well be that Mamata Banerjee's office will review the reports before taking action," the leader added.

Abhishek said the party should prioritise effective performers over loyalty as it approaches the critical 2026 Assembly polls.

"What will we do with those who are only 'good boys'? In politics, we need performers who can boost our vote count," said Mamata’s heir-apparent.

Abhishek's stance on performers was reflected when he was asked about the role of Birbhum TMC strongman Anubrata Mondal, back home after spending over two years in Tihar jail in connection with a cattle smuggling case.

Since Mondal's return, questions were raised in TMC circles about the future of the old guard's vis-a-vis the existing core committee. Without naming Mondal, Abhishek said he was in favour of the existing core committee as the party performed better in the recent Lok Sabha polls than in 2019.