Political Turmoil in TMC: Congress Accuses Party of Surrendering to BJP

Political Crisis Within TMC

In the midst of a political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has accused the party of capitulating to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal. Speaking on Wednesday, Chowdhury remarked that an Eknath Shinde model is being implemented in Bengal, adding that TMC legislators are fearful that if they join the BJP, the Muslim community will oppose them. He further claimed that all elected representatives attempting to form a new party face at least one corruption allegation, complicating Mamata Banerjee's position as the leader of the opposition.

These comments come at a time when TMC is grappling with internal strife. A faction of rebel legislators, including expelled members Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, has claimed support from 58 MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly. This group is opposing the party leadership's nomination of Shobhan Dev Chattopadhyay for the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) position. They have written to Assembly Speaker Rathindranath Bose, demanding the LOP position for Ritabrata Banerjee and the Chief Whip position for Sandipan Saha. Javed Ahmed Khan, Seuli Saha, and Sabina Yasmin have been designated as Deputy LOPs. The Speaker has accepted the letter, and the approval process is underway. The letter reinstates Mamata Banerjee as the party leader.

Following the suspension of two of the 58 MLAs supporting the faction, TMC's response remains uncertain. The backing of these 58 MLAs could surpass the two-thirds majority required under anti-defection laws, potentially leading to a formal split and the possibility of political reorganization within the party, similar to developments in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) announced on Wednesday the dissolution of all its committees and affiliated organizations in West Bengal as part of a significant organizational overhaul.

In a statement released on X, the party indicated that after extensive discussions, it has been decided to dissolve all committees and affiliated organizations of the All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal with immediate effect. The party also stated that it will conduct a comprehensive self-assessment, performance review, and organizational evaluation at all levels, and will restructure its organizational framework based on the findings.