Approximately 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament rebelled against party leader Mamata Banerjee in early June [1].
This internal fracture threatens the stability of the TMC in West Bengal, where the party is facing a political crisis following a loss of power. The scale of the dissent suggests a potential systemic shift in the region's political landscape.
Reports from earlier this month indicate that the number of rebel lawmakers is at least 20 [1], with some sources stating the figure exceeds that amount [2]. This represents a significant portion of the party's legislative strength, as the TMC holds a total of 41 MPs across the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha [4].
While some lawmakers are considering forming a new faction or resigning, others have already shifted their allegiance. Specifically, 14 MPs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [1]. The unrest has extended beyond the national legislature, with reports of a Muslim MLA from Murshidabad also rebelling against Banerjee.
The crisis became a point of discussion during an INDIA-alliance meeting in Delhi, as the alliance seeks to maintain cohesion amid the turmoil in West Bengal. While some lawmakers, including Shatrughan Sinha and Kirti Jha, remain loyal to Banerjee, the party has not yet released a definitive list of all those who have defected [3].
Opposition figures have capitalized on the instability. Suvendu Adhikari has reportedly targeted the party's vulnerabilities as the rebellion continues to unfold across the state.
“Approximately 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament have rebelled against party leader Mamata Banerjee”
The mass defection of nearly half of the TMC's parliamentary presence signals a collapse of internal discipline following the party's loss of power. By shifting toward the BJP or considering independent factions, these lawmakers are attempting to secure their political survival, which may permanently diminish Mamata Banerjee's influence within the INDIA-alliance and the broader West Bengal administration.
