Major Political Shift: TMC MPs Defect to NDA Amidst Internal Turmoil

In a dramatic turn of events, 20 MPs from the Trinamool Congress have announced their support for the NDA, marking a significant political shift amidst internal dissent. This rebellion comes as TMC faces challenges in the West Bengal Assembly, raising questions about party leadership and future strategies. As Mamata Banerjee navigates this turmoil, the implications for the party and its alignment with the NDA remain to be seen. The situation is evolving, and the political landscape could change rapidly as discussions unfold.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 9, 2026, 10:02 IST

TMC Faces Unprecedented Rebellion

In a significant political upheaval, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has experienced a major setback following an unprecedented rebellion within the West Bengal Assembly. This time, the dissent reverberated in the national parliament, where 20 out of 28 TMC MPs declared their support for the ruling NDA coalition led by the BJP.

This development emerged as Banerjee and TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee attended a meeting of the opposition 'INDIA' alliance in New Delhi on Monday.

Rebel MPs Declare Support for NDA

During the meeting, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a prominent leader of the rebel faction and Lok Sabha MP, announced that a group of MPs had formally decided to support the NDA. She stated that approximately 20 MPs had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to inform him of their decision.

Ghosh Dastidar mentioned, "Along with me, nearly twenty TMC MPs have officially decided to support the NDA by writing to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla."

What Lies Ahead for TMC and Mamata Banerjee?

Currently, the rebel MPs aim to convince the Speaker that Ghosh Dastidar should remain the chief whip of TMC in the Lok Sabha. However, the opposing faction claims that the leadership had already removed her from this position and appointed Kalyan Banerjee instead, a decision communicated to the Lok Sabha Secretariat well before the rebellion on May 20.

A copy of the letter shared by party sources bore the receipt stamp from the Speaker's office dated May 29, indicating its formal submission.

Dispute Over Chief Whip Position

Sources indicate that the rebel MPs plan to argue before the Speaker that Ghosh Dastidar remains the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha. This claim was supported by party MP Kirti Azad, who stated that the Speaker had been informed about Banerjee's appointment as the chief whip last month.

If the Speaker meets with the rebel TMC MPs, this letter could become a focal point of contention regarding who the authorized chief whip is.

Anti-Defection Law Considerations

According to sources, the rebel MPs have decided not to resign from the TMC or join the BJP immediately. Instead, they plan to operate as a separate group supporting the NDA, a move seen as an attempt to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.

This political maneuver is significant in terms of numbers.

Current TMC Composition and Implications

Currently, there are 28 TMC members in the Lok Sabha, with one seat vacant following the death of Haji Nurul Islam from Basirhat. If 20 MPs formally support the NDA, this group will easily surpass the two-thirds majority threshold necessary to avoid action under the anti-defection law.

Recent Turmoil in West Bengal Assembly

This latest development comes at a time when TMC leadership faced a significant blow in the West Bengal Assembly, where 58 out of 80 legislators reportedly defied the party's decision to appoint senior leader Sovandev Chattopadhyay as the opposition leader, instead choosing expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee for the role.

Following electoral setbacks, Mamata Banerjee's stance appears to be shifting towards reconciliation. At the INDIA alliance meeting in New Delhi, she adopted a cooperative approach while opposition parties were working to formulate a broader national strategy against the BJP.