A significant political upheaval is reportedly underway within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as 19 of its Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) have allegedly formed a rebel group. This development, which includes prominent figures like cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, and Saayoni Ghosh, signals deepening internal dissent against party chief Mamata Banerjee.
Rebel Faction Eyes NDA Support
Sources indicate that the dissident MPs do not intend to immediately resign from the TMC or formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Instead, their strategy involves functioning as a separate bloc within Parliament while extending support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This approach is reportedly aimed at circumventing disqualification under anti-defection laws.
The list of MPs allegedly joining the rebel camp includes:
- Shatrughan Sinha (Asansol)
- Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar (Barasat)
- Jagdish Chandra Basunia (Cooch Behar)
- Khalilur Rahaman (Jangipur)
- Yusuf Pathan (Behrampur)
- Abu Taher Khan (Murshidabad)
- Partha Bhowmick (Barrackpore)
- Bapi Haldar (Mathurapur)
- Saayoni Ghosh (Jadavpur)
- Mala Roy (Kolkata South)
- Mitali Bag (Aarambagh)
- Deepak Adhikari (Ghatal)
- Kalipada Soren (Jhalgram)
- June Malia (Medinipur)
- Aroop Chakraborty (Bankura)
- Sharmila Sarkar (Bardhaman East)
- Asit Kumar Mal (Bolpur)
- Satabdi Roy (Birbhum)
- Rachana Banerjee (Hooghly)
With the TMC currently holding 28 Lok Sabha seats (one being vacant), the defection of 19 MPs would significantly reduce the effective strength of Banerjee's supporters in the House.
Leadership and Constitutional Strategy
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is believed to be leading this dissident faction. Reports suggest she plans to formally inform Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of their support for the NDA. The rebel camp is also reportedly exploring various constitutional provisions under the Tenth Schedule, arguing that their move represents a legitimate split within the parliamentary party rather than individual defections.
Meetings and Mounting Pressure
The political drama escalated following reports of a meeting involving a group of rebel MPs at the Delhi residence of a senior BJP leader. Additionally, an informal gathering of around 20 MPs was reported to have taken place in New Delhi. This parliamentary rebellion comes shortly after significant turmoil within the West Bengal Assembly, where a large number of TMC MLAs reportedly opposed leadership decisions, further intensifying questions about Mamata Banerjee's control over the party.
Amidst this escalating crisis, Banerjee reportedly adopted a more conciliatory tone at a recent INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, where opposition parties were strategizing against the BJP.