Satabdi Roy, a rebel Member of Parliament for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), said Wednesday that her party is facing a split [1].

The public dissent from a long-time loyalist signals a deepening crisis for the TMC in West Bengal. If a significant bloc of lawmakers departs or aligns with the opposition, it could destabilize the party's regional dominance and alter the balance of power in the Lok Sabha.

Roy, a four-time MP [3], said the party leadership should address internal problems to resolve the growing turmoil [2]. In her remarks, she specifically noted that party leader Mamata Banerjee has "changed" [4].

The rebellion extends beyond Roy. Other dissident lawmakers, including Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, are reportedly seeking a separate seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha [2]. This move would formally distance the rebels from the official TMC party line during parliamentary sessions.

According to reports, more than 20 rebel MPs are considering this separate seating [2]. The group is also exploring potential collaboration with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [2].

"We are planning to take separate seating in the Lok Sabha and are in touch with the BJP," Dastidar said [5].

The unrest in Kolkata stems from perceived changes in Banerjee's leadership style and increasing factionalism within the party ranks [2, 6]. While the TMC has historically maintained a tight grip on its members, the current scale of the rebellion suggests a breakdown in internal party discipline.

“"Didi has changed"”

The potential exit of more than 20 lawmakers would represent a significant blow to the Trinamool Congress's legislative strength. By engaging with the BJP, the rebel MPs are leveraging the opposition's influence to pressure Mamata Banerjee for internal reforms or a shift in leadership style. This fragmentation could weaken the TMC's ability to present a united front against the BJP in West Bengal, potentially paving the way for a more competitive multi-party environment in the state.