Mumbai
oi-Swastika Sruti
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing one of its biggest political challenges in recent times after a group of rebel Members of Parliament reportedly decided to break away from the party and align themselves with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Trinamool Congress faces significant political challenges as several MPs reportedly plan to defect to the NDA, having submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, following the party’s electoral setback and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Ray’s resignation.
The development comes at a time when the party is already dealing with internal disagreements and political uncertainty following its recent electoral defeat in West Bengal.
20 MPs Submit Letter to Lok Sabha Speaker
According to reports, at least 20 dissident TMC MPs submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, expressing their intention to join the NDA. Sources indicate that the breakaway faction will be led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is expected to play a key role in the group’s future political strategy.
The move marks a significant blow to the TMC leadership and highlights the growing dissatisfaction among some party leaders.
Political Turmoil After Election Defeat
The latest rebellion comes in the aftermath of the Assembly elections, where the TMC suffered a major setback. The elections resulted in the formation of West Bengal’s first BJP-led government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Adhikari’s rise has carried symbolic importance because he was once considered one of the closest associates of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Since the election results, reports of internal divisions and dissatisfaction within the TMC have become increasingly frequent.
Sukhendu Shekhar Ray Resigns
Adding to the political drama, Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Ray submitted his resignation earlier on Monday. His departure is being viewed as another sign of deepening cracks within the party.
The resignation came just hours before Mamata Banerjee arrived in New Delhi to attend a meeting of the INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties seeking to challenge the BJP at the national level.
Secret Meeting in Delhi Raises Eyebrows
While Banerjee was attending the opposition gathering, a separate political meeting reportedly took place at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi.
Sources claim that around 20 rebel MPs gathered there along with Sukhendu Shekhar Ray. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was also reportedly present during the discussions.
The meeting has sparked speculation about a larger political realignment in West Bengal and the possibility of more defections in the coming days.
Leaders Leading the Rebel Camp
The rebel faction is said to be led by several prominent leaders, including:
- Sukhendu Shekhar Ray
- Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar
- Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia
- Prasun Banerjee
- Sharmila Sarkar
- Arup Chakraborty
- Kalipada Soren Kherwal
These leaders are believed to be at the forefront of the movement seeking to shift political allegiance from the TMC to the NDA.
MPs Reportedly Present at the Meeting
Several MPs were reportedly present during the Delhi meeting. These included:
- Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar (Barasat)
- Prasun Banerjee (Howrah)
- Satabdi Roy (Birbhum)
- Asit Mal (Bolpur)
- Bapi Haldar (Mathurapur)
- June Malia (Medinipur)
- Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia (Cooch Behar)
- Kalipada Soren (Jhargram)
- Arup Chakraborty (Bankura)
- Partha Bhowmick (Barrackpore)
- Sharmila Sarkar (Bardhaman Purba)
- Sukhendu Shekhar Ray
The gathering has intensified discussions about the future of the TMC and whether more leaders may choose to leave the party.
What This Means for West Bengal Politics
If the reported move materialises, it could significantly alter West Bengal’s political landscape. Losing a large group of MPs would weaken the TMC’s position in Parliament and strengthen the NDA’s presence in the state.
For Mamata Banerjee, the challenge will be to maintain party unity and prevent further defections. For the BJP-led NDA, the development could provide an opportunity to expand its influence in a state that has become a key political battleground.
As political developments continue to unfold, all eyes will remain on West Bengal and the impact this rebellion could have on the state’s future political direction.
