Several rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs are forming a separate parliamentary bloc and leaning toward the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) [1, 2].
This shift threatens the stability of Mamata Banerjee’s leadership and could alter the political landscape of West Bengal by weakening the party's unified front in New Delhi.
The dissenting group includes MPs Saayoni Ghosh, Susmita Dev, and Sajda Ahmed [1, 2]. These lawmakers have distanced themselves from the party line following a series of post-poll protests and a sit-in at the residence of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in May 2024 [1, 3].
Internal friction has centered on allegations of electoral malpractice and instability. Saayoni Ghosh said, "Mamata Banerjee was defeated through vote loot" [1].
Other members of the rebel group have pointed to external pressures as a catalyst for their departure. Susmita Dev said, "We have faced BJP intimidation and post‑poll violence; we will raise these issues in Parliament" [2].
The internal crisis was further highlighted during a recent agitation over attacks on party leaders in West Bengal. Only 20 of the 80 newly elected TMC legislators attended the sit-in at Banerjee's residence [3]. This low turnout suggests a deepening divide between the party leadership and its elected representatives.
Suvendu Adhikari, a TMC leader and former chief minister, commented on the turmoil. Adhikari said, "TMC's condition now pathetic" [2].
The unrest has manifested in both the capital and the state. While the rebel bloc coordinates in Parliament in New Delhi, Banerjee has led massive protests on Kolkata’s Rani Rashmoni Avenue to address the violence and attacks on her party's leaders [2, 4].
“"Mamata Banerjee was defeated through vote loot."”
The emergence of a rebel bloc within the TMC indicates a significant breakdown in party discipline and loyalty to Mamata Banerjee. By leaning toward the NDA, these MPs are not merely protesting internal policy but are potentially shifting the balance of power in West Bengal's representation. This fragmentation suggests that the party's internal mechanisms for conflict resolution have failed, leaving the leadership vulnerable to further defections.
