Mamata Banerjee faces a severe political challenge as the Trinamool Congress deals with a major internal revolt by senior leaders and legislators after the party’s heavy loss in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. India Today has obtained a copy of a letter sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker by 19 rebel TMC MPs. This move represents a sharp escalation in the party’s ongoing crisis.
The letter, dated May 18, carries signatures from 19 Lok Sabha members who support forming a distinct parliamentary group. They are also claiming the TMC symbol, stating they represent the true party. This leaves only nine of the original 28 TMC MPs outside the rebel group, though some positions remain uncertain.
The signatories include Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Satabdi Roy, Bapi Haldar, Dr Sharmila Sarkar, Prasun Bandyopadhyay, Jagadish Barma Basunia, Asit Kumar Mal, Arup Chakraborty, Rachna Banerjee, Saayoni Ghosh, Khalilur Rahaman, Abu Taher Khan, Yusuf Pathan, Mitali Bag, Mala Roy, Kalipada Soren, Deepak Adhikari, June Malia and Partha Bhowmick.
Sources indicate the dissident MPs have told the Speaker they plan to operate as a separate parliamentary unit. The faction says it will not join the BJP or NDA and will function independently to protect West Bengal’s interests. The group is monitoring the Centre’s efforts to reintroduce the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill.
The development follows earlier reports of unrest among TMC MPs over party operations and the role of national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The parliamentary revolt comes after a large number of MLAs broke away in the West Bengal Assembly, creating the biggest internal split in the party’s 28-year history.
The letter’s timing may affect the Speaker’s ruling. It was submitted on May 18, one day before senior MP Kalyan Banerjee was named chief whip on May 19. The Speaker must now decide if the group qualifies for recognition on procedural grounds.
The split could trigger a lengthy legal and political fight over party control. Rebels plan to approach the Election Commission to claim the TMC symbol based on their parliamentary majority. Any ruling is expected to face challenges, possibly reaching the Supreme Court.
Senior MP Shatrughan Sinha has publicly rejected the rebel camp and reaffirmed loyalty to Mamata Banerjee. Along with Abhishek Banerjee, Sougata Ray, Mahua Moitra, Kalyan Banerjee, Kirti Azad, Pratima Mondal, Sajda Ahmed and Sudip Bandopadhyay, he remains outside the dissident group. Focus now shifts to decisions by the Speaker and Election Commission that could shape the future of this key regional party.
