A major internal revolt has erupted within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, with dozens of lawmakers breaking ranks with party leader Mamata Banerjee.
The scale of the rebellion threatens the stability of the state government and suggests a strategic realignment of power toward the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Reports published Wednesday, June 10, 2026, indicate a significant split within the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. A total of 58 dissident MLAs have backed expelled member Ritabrata Banerjee [1], who has staked a claim to a separate assembly bloc. This legislative fracture is mirrored at the national level, where more than 20 TMC MPs have defected to the NDA [2].
The unrest is driven by a combination of internal grievances and strategic calculations. Some members cite discontent with the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, while others see a tactical advantage in aligning with the BJP. Shatabdi Roy, a long-time party loyalist and MP, said the situation is "politically right, morally wrong" and added, "I miss you Didi" [3].
The TMC leadership has reacted to the defections. Nilanjan Das, a TMC spokesperson, said the rebels are "opportunists and traitors" [4]. Conversely, the opposition has framed the collapse as a result of the party's own contradictions. Shehzad Poonawalla of the BJP said the TMC is "hypocritical over defections" [4].
While some reports suggest the rebellion stems from personal factors and internal grievances [5], other analyses indicate the split is a strategic move that benefits BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari [6]. The volatility has manifested in public anger, with reports of councilors being attacked as leaders grow nervous about the shifting political landscape [2].
“"Politically right, morally wrong; I miss you Didi."”
The simultaneous defection of 58 MLAs and more than 20 MPs represents a systemic collapse of party discipline within the TMC. If the dissident bloc successfully establishes a separate assembly identity or merges with the NDA, it could jeopardize Mamata Banerjee's legislative majority in West Bengal and significantly weaken the party's leverage in national politics.
