Rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) members of parliament announced a merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) on June 14, 2026 [1].
The move signals a deepening fracture within the TMC, as dissident lawmakers seek a separate parliamentary identity and increased influence outside the control of party leadership.
The breakaway group has formally requested a separate seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha. In response, Abhishek Banerjee said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla should not recognize the breakaway group [1].
This parliamentary rift follows a series of disciplinary actions by the TMC. On June 1, 2026, the party expelled two MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, citing anti-party activities [2].
Following the expulsions, Sandipan Saha criticized the party's internal culture. He said, "TMC treats any talk of morality as an offence" [3].
Party supremo Mamata Banerjee responded to the unrest by emphasizing the role of the grassroots over the leadership. She said, "The party is not for its leaders but it is for its workers" [4].
The conflict stems from an internal power struggle where rebel MPs are attempting to establish a distinct political presence. The TMC leadership has countered these moves by purging dissenters to maintain organizational discipline [5].
The merger with the NCPI represents a strategic shift for the rebels, moving from internal dissent to formal alignment with a regional party to secure their legislative standing [1].
“"The party is not for its leaders but it is for its workers."”
The merger of rebel TMC MPs into the NCPI creates a legislative challenge for the Trinamool Congress, potentially weakening its voting bloc in the Lok Sabha. By seeking separate seating, the rebels are attempting to avoid the legal triggers of anti-defection laws that typically force lawmakers to vacate their seats upon leaving a party. This instability reflects a broader tension between the party's centralized leadership and lawmakers seeking more autonomy.
