Twenty Members of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have requested to join the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) [1].
The move signals a significant internal fracture within the TMC, potentially altering the balance of power in the Lok Sabha. If the request is granted, it would represent a major blow to the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
The rebel MPs submitted a formal letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi [2]. In the correspondence, the lawmakers requested recognition as a separate bloc within the BJP-led NDA [3].
According to reports, the lawmakers are citing disillusionment with the party’s leadership and their treatment within the parliamentary framework as the primary drivers for the defection [4]. The group is seeking a formal alignment with the ruling coalition to better represent their interests.
One lawmaker, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, is expected to lead the rebel faction [3]. The submission of the letter to the Speaker's office marks a formal step in the process of changing party affiliation within the Indian Parliament [2].
The TMC has not yet issued a formal response to the move. The Speaker's office has not confirmed whether the request for a separate bloc has been approved or is still under review [2].
This development follows a period of increasing tension between the party's central leadership and several of its representatives. The shift of 20 MPs [1] could impact the legislative strategy of the opposition and strengthen the ruling alliance's majority in the house.
“Twenty Members of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have requested to join the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).”
The defection of 20 lawmakers suggests a crisis of confidence in the TMC's current leadership. By seeking to form a separate bloc within the NDA rather than simply joining the BJP, these MPs are attempting to maintain a distinct identity while aligning with the ruling government's power structure. This could lead to further instability within the TMC and potentially encourage other disillusioned members to leave the party.
