A group of up to 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmakers signed a rebel list in May 2026 to oppose party leader Mamata Banerjee [1], [2].
This internal rift threatens the stability of the TMC in West Bengal and could shift the balance of power within the Indian Parliament's Lok Sabha. The move indicates a significant breakdown in party discipline among high-profile members.
Reports on the exact number of dissenters vary, with some sources citing 19 MPs [1] while others state 20 [2]. The list includes prominent figures such as Saayoni Ghosh, Yusuf Pathan, Shatrughan Sinha, and Mala Roy [1].
Saayoni Ghosh has been vocal about the internal crisis. She said that Mamata Banerjee was defeated through "stolen" and "looted" votes [3].
The rebels are reportedly disagreeing with the party leadership and current strategy. While the group has not joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), they have indicated a willingness to align with other forces. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a leader among the rebels, said, "We will support the NDA but not join the BJP" [1].
This development marks one of the most significant setbacks for Banerjee's leadership in recent years. The dissent has moved from private disagreements to a formal signed list, signaling a coordinated effort to challenge the party's current direction [1], [2].
The tension within the TMC is now spilling into the Lok Sabha, where these members hold critical seats. The rebel group's refusal to join the BJP while supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) suggests a strategic attempt to maintain a distinct identity while opposing the TMC leadership [1].
“"Mamata Banerjee was defeated through 'stolen' and 'looted' votes."”
The emergence of a formal rebel bloc within the Trinamool Congress suggests a strategic pivot by several MPs who seek to distance themselves from Mamata Banerjee without fully merging into the BJP. By pledging support to the NDA while remaining independent of the BJP, these lawmakers are attempting to create a third path that could weaken the TMC's dominance in West Bengal and alter the legislative dynamics in the Lok Sabha.
