Trinamool Congress Faces Internal Turmoil: Dissident MPs Claim to Be the 'Real TMC'

Crisis Deepens in Trinamool Congress

New Delhi: The situation within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalated on Friday as a faction of dissenting MPs, claiming the backing of 19 Lok Sabha members, announced plans to approach Speaker Om Birla next week. They aim to be recognized as the legitimate TMC parliamentary group, a claim that the party led by Mamata Banerjee has deemed legally invalid under the anti-defection law.

Rebel MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia stated that the dissident group has already submitted a representation to the Speaker and intends to formally assert their claim on Monday.

"We have submitted the letter... On Monday, we will approach the Speaker to assert our claim to form the genuine TMC parliamentary group. We will request the Speaker to acknowledge our claim," Basunia informed media outlets.

He mentioned that the signature collection process commenced on June 8, with 19 MPs endorsing the representation. However, the exact timing for the meeting has yet to be confirmed.

Sources from the dissident faction indicated that nearly 20 MPs are expected to arrive in Delhi ahead of Monday's meeting to discuss their next steps.

The announcement prompted a strong reaction from the TMC, which insisted that the dissidents' claims lack any legal foundation. Party MP Mahua Moitra pointed out that the Constitution's 91st Amendment eliminated provisions for splits, stating that lawmakers wishing to leave a party must merge with another.

"The traitorous TMC lawmakers are unaware of the law. The 91st Amendment of 2003 removed the provision for splits or separate blocs. The number of MPs is irrelevant—two-thirds of the original party must merge with another party. All 19 traitors should resign and run on a BJP ticket," she remarked in a post on social media.

TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh called for a verification of the signatures circulating online against the official signatures held by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to confirm their authenticity.

This latest conflict arises during one of the TMC's most significant organizational crises in recent years, with dissent stemming from the party's assembly election defeat in West Bengal now spilling into Parliament.

Amidst the internal strife, a purported list featuring the names and signatures of 19 TMC Lok Sabha MPs has circulated online, although the actual letter to Birla remains undisclosed.

Sources close to the dissenters claimed that the MPs have informed the Lok Sabha Speaker about their intention to form a separate parliamentary bloc under Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar while expressing support for the BJP-led NDA, all while maintaining a distinct political identity.

Dissident leaders asserted that the document, which has not been independently verified, demonstrates backing for their initiative.

The list reportedly includes signatures from Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Satabdi Roy, Bapi Haldar, Sharmila Sarkar, Prasun Bandyopadhyay, Jagadish Barma Basunia, Asit Kumar Mal, Arup Chakraborty, Rachna Banerjee, Saayoni Ghosh, Khalilur Rahaman, Abu Taher Khan, Yusuf Pathan, Mitali Bag, Mala Roy, Kalipada Soren, Deepak Adhikari, June Malia, and Partha Bhowmick.

"The circulated list is authentic. We expect more members to join us," a rebel MP stated.

Conversely, TMC MP Kirti Azad accused the BJP of orchestrating defections through an initiative dubbed "Operation Lotus," asserting that attempts to fracture the party have not succeeded.

"Operation Lotus, guided by Amit Shah, is in progress," Azad claimed in a social media post on Friday, asserting that it has "failed thus far."

He cited Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik's appearance outside BJP leader Nishikant Dubey's residence, a meeting of dissenting MPs at Union minister Bhupender Yadav's home, and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's visit to TMC MP Satabdi Roy's residence as evidence of a coordinated effort to undermine the party.

On Thursday, Baraik became the third TMC parliamentarian to resign from both the party and the Upper House this week, following Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Sushmita Dev.

The ongoing crisis has also revealed internal divisions within the party.

Senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee publicly criticized party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, stating he would remain in the party only if Abhishek is removed from all leadership roles.

In an effort to downplay the internal discord, Azad defended Kalyan Banerjee, asserting, "Everything is fine; there are no issues. Kalyan Banerjee is emotional. He has stood by Didi during tough times; he would never betray her or stab her in the back."

Basunia also supported Kalyan Banerjee's critique of Abhishek Banerjee and responded to Azad's allegations regarding financial incentives for shifting loyalties.

"Kirti Azad is lying. Such statements are inappropriate. We are 19 MPs, and he is also an MP... it is wrong to make such claims," Basunia remarked.

The turmoil has necessitated adjustments in the party's operations in the national capital. The TMC has relocated its Delhi office from 20, Rajendra Prasad Road—the government bungalow assigned to Lok Sabha MP Partha Bhowmick—back to the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Md Nadimul Haque at 61, South Avenue.

Bhowmick, associated with the dissident faction, relinquished his bungalow and requested a flat instead, according to sources.

The West Bengal-based party has experienced a wave of exits this week, with three Rajya Sabha MPs—Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik—resigning from the party.

Despite the escalating rebellion, several senior leaders have publicly reaffirmed their allegiance to Mamata Banerjee.

Lok Sabha MPs Sougata Roy, Shatrughan Sinha, and Pratima Mondal, along with Rajya Sabha MP Babul Supriyo, have denied involvement in any dissident faction and confirmed their commitment to the party.

The dissidents' claims have sparked a discussion regarding the anti-defection law. TMC leaders argue that while a faction supported by two-thirds of MPs may seek protection from disqualification under merger provisions, the law does not allow for the establishment of a separate parliamentary bloc.