TMC Faces Internal Turmoil: Can Rebel MPs Break Away Without Legal Consequences?
TMC Leaders Address Potential Breakaway Faction
New Delhi: Leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have emphasized that any efforts by their MPs to split from the party would encounter significant legal challenges due to the anti-defection law.
Reports indicate that a faction within the TMC is attempting to rally support for a potential split from the party's parliamentary group.
Insiders suggest that these dissenting leaders are working to gain backing from MPs across both Houses of Parliament, with speculation that a breakaway group could seek official recognition if they secure enough support.
A TMC representative noted that the party currently holds 28 seats in the Lok Sabha, and any action under the anti-defection law would necessitate the backing of at least two-thirds of the parliamentary members, which translates to 19 MPs.
However, another senior party official pointed out that even achieving this number would not automatically allow the rebel faction to operate as a distinct parliamentary entity; they would still need to affiliate with another party.
"According to the law, even if two-thirds of MPs decide to leave, their only option is to merge with another political party. There is no provision for forming a separate group," the leader explained.
There are also rumors that the dissenting MPs might seek to alter the party's parliamentary leadership by appealing to the speaker.
"In such a case, the speaker does not have the final say. The leader of a parliamentary party is appointed by the party itself, and any changes must be sanctioned by the party chairperson," the source clarified.
Nonetheless, this individual described the reports as a distraction from the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting scheduled for Monday.
Meanwhile, another TMC leader mentioned that various scenarios are being contemplated within political circles, but changes may take time, especially with the Monsoon Session approaching.
"Two main scenarios are being discussed: one resembling the situation in the West Bengal Assembly under Ritabrata Banerjee, where a group of MLAs separated from the party, and another similar to the AAP case, where Raghav Chadha and several Rajya Sabha MPs left to join the BJP under anti-defection rules," the leader stated.
"Regardless, these processes require time and legal examination," they added.
The TMC has faced increasing challenges since its electoral defeat last month, leading to unrest within its legislative wing.
Recently, over two-thirds of the party's MLAs—58 out of 80—defected from the official TMC legislative party and gained recognition as the main opposition group in the Assembly under expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee.
Sources indicate that efforts are being made to avert a similar situation in Parliament.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee arrived in Delhi on Saturday, while party leader Mamata Banerjee reached the capital on Sunday ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting.
The party leadership is expected to engage in discussions during their time in Delhi to assess the situation within their parliamentary ranks.
The TMC also has 13 members in the Rajya Sabha.
Rebel TMC MLA and deputy leader of the new legislative group, Sandipan Saha, has claimed that similar developments to those in the West Bengal Assembly are unfolding within the party's parliamentary wing.
Several TMC leaders have openly criticized Abhishek Banerjee's leadership style following the party's electoral loss.