TMC's Internal Strife: Rebel MPs Seek Recognition Amidst Political Turmoil

TMC Rebel MPs Meet Central Leaders

On Saturday, senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandopadhyay met with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and BJP leaders in Delhi. This meeting comes at a time when rebel MPs from the party are preparing to approach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to seek recognition as the legitimate TMC parliamentary group. Alongside Bandopadhyay was rebel MP Shatabdi Roy, although details of the meeting were not immediately available. A group of dissenting MPs had also convened at Yadav's residence on Monday.

Growing Division Within TMC

This development highlights the increasing rift within Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's party. Rebel MP Jagdish Chandra Burman Basunia has claimed that 19 Lok Sabha MPs are backing the dissenting faction. Should Bandopadhyay join them, their strength in the House would rise to 20. A source from the rebel group indicated that they wish to appoint Bandopadhyay as their leader. Currently, the TMC holds 28 seats in the Lok Sabha and 13 in the Rajya Sabha, with three members having resigned so far.

Aftermath of Assembly Election Defeat

Notably, the rebellion within TMC emerged following their defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Last week, more than two-thirds of TMC's legislators (58 out of 80) broke away from the official legislative party, gaining recognition as the main opposition group in the West Bengal Assembly under the leadership of expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee. Since then, the rebel faction has claimed that their influence has only grown.

Crisis Extends to Parliament

The crisis has now reached Parliament, where rebel MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, have claimed support from over 20 Lok Sabha members. An online list has surfaced featuring the names and signatures of 19 TMC MPs, although the alleged letter sent to the Speaker has not been made public. Rebel leaders assert that this document demonstrates their efforts to gain recognition.

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