New Delhi/Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing a renewed political challenge following her party’s defeat in the state assembly elections, as a group of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament has reportedly moved to align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The dissident MPs, who are at odds with the TMC leadership, have arrived in New Delhi and held discussions with senior BJP leaders. The rebel faction claims it has the support of 22 of the party’s 28 Lok Sabha members.
The MPs met at the residence of Union Minister and BJP’s West Bengal in-charge Bhupender Yadav. West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also participated in the discussions. Former Rajya Sabha member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, who recently resigned from the Upper House, is reported to be supporting the rebel camp.
TMC MP and former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan is also believed to be in New Delhi with the dissidents, according to allegations made by fellow TMC MP Mahua Moitra. However, the Speaker’s Office has not yet confirmed receiving any formal communication from the rebel MPs. The faction loyal to Banerjee is expected to address the media in New Delhi later today.
Internal unrest within the TMC intensified after the party lost power in West Bengal and was reduced to just 80 seats in the state assembly. Public disagreements between prominent Lok Sabha MPs Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee have further exposed divisions within the party and weakened its position in New Delhi.
The BJP secured a historic victory in the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly, winning 207 seats. Suvendu Adhikari subsequently assumed office as Chief Minister of West Bengal. Banerjee also suffered a personal setback, losing in her traditional stronghold of Bhabanipur to Adhikari.
In another blow to the TMC leadership, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee, who had earlier been expelled from the party, was recognized by the Speaker as Leader of the Opposition with the backing of 58 TMC legislators.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the political turmoil surrounding the TMC and raise fresh questions about the party’s unity and future direction following its electoral defeat.
