A major political crisis has reportedly emerged within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with at least 20 party MPs submitting a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressing their intention to join the BJP-led NDA alliance. Senior TMC leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is understood to be leading the dissident group. The MPs reportedly cited the outcome of the recent West Bengal Assembly elections as the primary reason behind their decision, stating that they respect the mandate of the people and believe their political future lies with the NDA.
The rebellion comes in the wake of the TMC’s defeat in the Assembly elections and the BJP’s formation of its first government in West Bengal under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari, a former close aide of Mamata Banerjee. Adding to the political turbulence, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy resigned from his position on Monday morning. Notably, the developments unfolded just hours after Mamata Banerjee arrived in Delhi to attend a meeting of the INDIA opposition alliance.
While Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were participating in the INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitution Club in Delhi, the rebel MPs reportedly held discussions at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav. Suvendu Adhikari was also said to have attended the meeting. Reports indicate that efforts by Abhishek Banerjee to contact the dissident MPs failed to persuade them.
Political observers note that the strength of the rebel faction may be sufficient to avoid disqualification under anti-defection provisions. The group reportedly includes MPs such as Prasun Banerjee, Sharmila Sarkar, Jagadish Chandra Basunia, Arup Chakraborty, Kalipada Soren, Asit Mal and Bapi Haldar. Significantly, the rebellion spans key regions including North Bengal, Junglemahal and South Bengal, highlighting widespread discontent within the party ranks.