Mamata Banerjee is facing a potential split within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as reports suggest more than 50 legislators may leave the party [1].
The internal instability threatens the leadership of the TMC in West Bengal, occurring as Banerjee attempts to mobilize party support through public agitation.
The crisis became evident during a meeting convened by Banerjee at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata. Only 20 of the 80 party legislators attended the gathering [2]. This low turnout has fueled speculation that a significant portion of the party's legislative wing is distancing itself from the leadership.
Concurrent with these internal struggles, Banerjee announced a sit-in protest at Rani Rashmoni Avenue. She said the agitation is a response to post-poll violence and targeted attacks on party leaders, including her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee [2].
Banerjee also said that the protest targets a railways hawker eviction drive. She said she will proceed with the mega sit-in in Kolkata despite the absence of a formal permit [2].
The potential exodus of more than 50 MLAs [1] could fundamentally alter the political landscape of the state. While the party has not officially confirmed the numbers, the gap between the total number of legislators and those who attended the Kalighat meeting suggests a deepening divide within the ranks [2].
“Only 20 of the 80 party legislators attended the gathering.”
The combination of low legislative attendance and rumors of a mass exit suggests a crisis of authority for Mamata Banerjee. If a majority of MLAs depart, the TMC could lose its governing stability in West Bengal, turning a period of post-poll volatility into a permanent structural collapse of the party's current leadership.
