Ujjal Chatterjee, the three-time former MLA of Kulti and a veteran face of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Asansol industrial belt, is facing a severe identity crisis in his political career. After being denied a ticket for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, Chatterjee expressed his profound grief and frustration, stating, “My game is over!” This emotional breakdown from a seasoned politician has sent shockwaves through the party’s local unit.

Chatterjee had a stellar track record, winning the Kulti seat consecutively in 2006, 2011, and 2016. Despite his loyalty and historical significance to the party’s growth in the region, the TMC leadership has opted for a different candidate this time around. This is the second consecutive time (including 2021) that the party has bypassed him, leading to speculations that his influence within the high command has significantly diminished.

Administrative sources and political observers suggest that TMC’s shift towards “Gen-Next” leaders and performance-based internal surveys are the primary reasons behind dropping senior stalwarts like Chatterjee. However, the emotional toll on the leader was visible as he lamented his decades-long dedication to the party. While some supporters are urging him to contest independently, Chatterjee’s “game over” remark suggests he might be considering a complete withdrawal from active politics. The Kulti battleground now awaits a new face, while its former champion exits with a heavy heart.