Dr. Manas Ranjan Bhunia, a senior leader and former minister of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has resigned from the party [1].
The departure of a high-ranking official signals deepening instability within the TMC as other lawmakers move to challenge the current party leadership. This internal fracture occurs amid a shifting political landscape in West Bengal.
Bhunia said he is leaving the party for personal reasons [1]. His exit comes as a group of rebel TMC members of parliament seek official recognition as a separate block [1]. These lawmakers are reportedly coordinating efforts to meet with the Lok Sabha Speaker to formalize their status [1].
Beyond the legislature, the rebel group plans to meet with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari [1]. This move suggests a potential realignment of political power in the state, one that could weaken the TMC's grip on local governance.
Adhikari's transition to the leadership role was marked by an oath-taking ceremony scheduled for May 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. [2]. The current unrest among TMC MPs indicates that the party is struggling to maintain cohesion following the administrative changes in the state assembly [2].
While Bhunia did not specify the nature of his personal reasons, the timing of his resignation aligns with the rebel MPs' push for greater influence [1]. The group continues to seek a platform that allows them to operate independently of the central TMC command [1].
“Dr. Manas Ranjan Bhunia, a senior leader and former minister of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has resigned from the party”
The resignation of Dr. Bhunia and the emergence of a formal rebel block suggest a systemic collapse of party discipline within the TMC. By seeking a meeting with both the Lok Sabha Speaker and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, these lawmakers are signaling that they no longer view the TMC leadership as a viable vehicle for their political influence, potentially paving the way for a broader defection to the governing administration.
