Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy has publicly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to distance themselves from Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sayani Ghosh. Roy's appeal comes amidst swirling rumors of a potential rebellion within the TMC's parliamentary ranks.
The veteran politician, who previously headed the BJP's West Bengal unit, expressed strong reservations about Ghosh, citing past controversies. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Roy specifically referenced a meme shared by Ghosh depicting a condom on a Shivling, which he described as deeply offensive and prompted him to file a police complaint years ago. He also highlighted lyrics from a song Ghosh performed during a TMC election campaign, which he interpreted as religiously insensitive, stating, "For Lord Shiva’s sake, do not have anything to do with her."
TMC Rebellion Buzz and Sayani Ghosh's Alleged Role
Reports suggest that Sayani Ghosh is among a group of TMC Members of Parliament who are reportedly backing a rebellion against party chief Mamata Banerjee. This dissident faction, allegedly led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, has reportedly communicated its alignment with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Sources indicate that up to nineteen Lok Sabha MPs, including prominent figures like Shatrughan Sinha, Yusuf Pathan, and Sayani Ghosh, have signed a list of rebels. However, the dissenting MPs reportedly do not intend to resign from the TMC or formally join the BJP immediately. Instead, they are said to be exploring the possibility of functioning as a separate bloc, offering support to the NDA while strategically avoiding disqualification under anti-defection laws.
The Trinamool Congress's Current Strength
The Trinamool Congress currently holds 28 seats in the Lok Sabha, with one vacancy following the recent demise of Basirhat MP Haji Nurul Islam. The potential defection or formation of a separate bloc by a significant number of its MPs could have considerable implications for the party's standing in the national parliament.