Approximately 59 of the 80 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs failed to attend a meeting at Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence [1].
The mass absence of party legislators suggests a significant internal fracture within the ruling party in West Bengal. This level of dissent threatens the party's legislative stability and the leadership's control over its elected members.
Only 20 legislators turned up at the residence in Kolkata [2]. The meeting was intended to address party strategy, but the low turnout indicates that a majority of the party's lawmakers have distanced themselves from Banerjee [1].
Internal friction has reportedly grown following attacks on party leaders and post-poll violence in the region [3]. These events have created a rift between the party leadership and its legislators, leading to the current state of absenteeism [4].
Opponents of the party have reacted to the development. Suvendu Adhikari said the condition of the TMC is "now pathetic" [5].
The situation at the Kalighat residence reflects a broader struggle for cohesion within the party. While the leadership has attempted to hold agitations and protests over the violence and attacks on party members, the lack of support from the party's own MLAs indicates a breakdown in internal communication, and loyalty [4].
“Approximately 59 of the 80 TMC MLAs have abandoned Mamata Banerjee”
The failure of nearly 75% of the party's legislators to attend a summons by the party head indicates a potential collapse of authority within the Trinamool Congress. This internal rebellion, fueled by post-poll instability, could lead to a formal split in the party or a challenge to the current leadership's ability to maintain a working majority in the state assembly.
