Sushmita Dev has quit the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as a rebellion of party members creates a political crisis for leader Mamata Banerjee.
This internal collapse threatens the stability of the TMC in West Bengal and could significantly shift the balance of power toward the BJP-led NDA. The departures signal a breakdown in party cohesion and a growing appetite for realignment among high-ranking officials.
Several TMC MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh, have indicated they may join the BJP [1]. Reports suggest that as many as 19 MPs are considering or have already moved toward the BJP [2]. This shift comes as internal dissent grows over alleged attacks on party leaders and specific policy decisions [3].
In response to the turmoil, Mamata Banerjee held a dharna on Rani Rashmoni Avenue in Kolkata [4]. Hundreds of supporters joined the protest [5]. During the event, Banerjee said the BJP should not force her to take a big decision [4].
The rebellion has left the party leadership scrambling to maintain control while facing public accusations of instability. The movement of MPs toward the NDA suggests a strategic pivot by rebels who have reportedly chosen Prime Minister Modi as their leader [2].
The crisis in Kolkata marks a significant jolt to Banerjee's leadership, as the party faces an implosion of its legislative strength. The scale of the defection, if fully realized, would represent one of the most significant losses of parliamentary support for the TMC in recent history [2].
“Sushmita Dev has quit the Trinamool Congress (TMC)”
The potential defection of 19 MPs to the BJP-led NDA would drastically reduce the TMC's influence in Parliament and weaken Mamata Banerjee's leverage in national politics. This shift reflects a growing vulnerability within the TMC's internal structure, where dissent over leadership and policy is now manifesting as a direct move toward their primary political rivals.
