About 20 Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MPs wrote to Speaker Om Birla on Monday seeking to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) [1].

This move signals a potential split within the TMC's parliamentary unit and could shift the balance of power in the Lok Sabha. By aligning with the ruling coalition, these lawmakers may influence key legislative votes and challenge the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.

The rebel faction is reportedly led by Chief Whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar [2]. The group decided to address the letter to the Speaker in New Delhi to formalize their support for the BJP-led alliance [3]. While some reports state 20 MPs are writing the letter [1], other accounts suggest up to 23 MPs have been in touch with the rebel camp [4].

Internal turmoil within the party preceded the split. The dissent follows the arbitrary removal of a senior party member who previously served as the Rajya Sabha chief whip [5]. This leadership friction has created a divide between the party center in Kolkata and its representatives in the capital.

There are conflicting reports regarding the leadership of the dissenting group. While some sources identify Dastidar as the leader, others said that Ritabrata Banerjee has been declared the Leader of the Opposition by the rebel faction [4].

The decision to move toward the NDA comes as the lawmakers seek to boost numbers for critical legislative actions [5]. The TMC has not yet officially responded to the group's request to the Speaker, though the move represents a significant blow to the party's cohesion in the lower house [3].

“About 20 TMC Lok Sabha MPs wrote to Speaker Om Birla on Monday seeking to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).”

The defection of a significant bloc of TMC lawmakers to the NDA could weaken the opposition's presence in the Lok Sabha and consolidate the ruling coalition's legislative strength. If the Speaker recognizes this split, it may prevent the rebel MPs from being disqualified under anti-defection laws, providing a blueprint for further instability within regional parties.