Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata
Kolkata, Jun 9: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing mounting internal turmoil after a fresh wave of rebellion within its parliamentary ranks, posing a major challenge to party chief Mamata Banerjee in the aftermath of the party's recent electoral setback in West Bengal.
The latest crisis emerged after Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar indicated her intention to break away from the party along with a group of supporters, days after rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee staked claim to the Leader of the Opposition post with the backing of 58 legislators.
According to reports, at least 14 TMC MPs met in New Delhi and discussed a possible split from the party. The meeting was reportedly attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and took place at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
The discussions occurred while Mamata Banerjee was attending a meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance in the national capital.
Later in the day, the rebel MPs reportedly met again at the residence of four-time Birbhum MP Shatabdi Roy. Sources said Adhikari was present during both meetings.
The developments came shortly after veteran TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray resigned from the Rajya Sabha, alleging widespread corruption and what he described as anarchy within the party.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who resigned from all party posts last month, claimed that nearly 20 TMC MPs had decided to support the National Democratic Alliance and had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate bloc.
She said the move was aimed at ensuring the development of West Bengal and asserted that the rebel faction enjoyed the support of enough MPs to avoid anti-defection proceedings.
Defending her decision, Ghosh said she had remained loyal to Mamata Banerjee for four decades and had stood by her even when the party was out of power. However, she claimed governance standards had deteriorated over the last few years.
The MP alleged that sectors such as education, healthcare, law and order and the film industry had suffered due to poor governance and excessive political interference. She said the group intended to work alongside the Centre and the state administration for the development of West Bengal and national interests.
In a strong message to critics, Ghosh declared that she would not bow to pressure, saying she had endured enough and would continue to stand by her convictions.
The crisis deepened after 58 TMC legislators reportedly backed Ritabrata Banerjee's claim to the Leader of the Opposition post in the state Assembly earlier this month.
Adding to the uncertainty, senior party leaders Firhad Hakim and Krishna Chakraborty recently resigned as mayors of Kolkata and Bidhannagar municipal corporations respectively. Reports also suggested that Hakim may be moving closer to the rebel camp.
The developments have triggered one of the most significant internal challenges faced by Mamata Banerjee and the TMC in recent years, raising questions about the party's organisational unity and political future in West Bengal.