The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a significant challenge within its parliamentary ranks after a group of rebel Lok Sabha members met in New Delhi and discussed extending support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The development comes weeks after the party suffered a major setback in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Explaining her decision, Dastidar said that conditions within the TMC had deteriorated in recent years. She rejected suggestions that her move was linked to the party’s electoral position.
“I have been with Mamata Banerjee for 40 years. She has been my guide, my mentor and my leader, and I have been with her even in the days when she was not in power. I have contested in five elections and lost before 2009. So it is useless to say that just because she is not in power in West Bengal, I have left. It is not that. I was with her when she was not in power. But at that time, there was a policy which was a pro-people agenda for the poor people of the state of West Bengal… But in the last 3-4 years, the work has been suboptimal,” said Kakoli Ghosh , the HT reported citing ANI.
Ghosh added “Mera sar katega lekin jhukega nahi… Maine bohot seh liya [My head may be severed, but it will not bow]…” refering to the fact that she has come from a family of freedom fighter and who has died fighting for the people.
Suvendu Adhikari was present when the meetings were going on. “In the first meeting, the CM quipped that all of you are senior MPs but you have been badly treated by the TMC brass,” said one of the MPs according to HT report.
Assembly Unit Witnesses Separate Rebellion
The parliamentary developments follow unrest within the party’s legislative wing in West Bengal.
On June 3, a group of 58 TMC legislators reportedly supported expelled lawmaker Ritabrata Banerjee’s claim to the position of Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, defying the official party line.
The move signaled growing divisions within the party after the assembly election results.
MUST READ: TMC leader Jahangir Khan arrested near Nepal border
Leadership Changes in Urban Local Bodies
The TMC is also facing uncertainty in its municipal leadership structure.
Recently, senior leaders Firhad Hakim and Krishna Chakraborty stepped down as mayors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, respectively.
Political observers are closely monitoring whether these developments will lead to further organisational changes within the party’s urban leadership network.
Firhad Hakim Reportedly Joins Rebel Camp
Adding to speculation over the party’s future direction, former Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim was reportedly seen with leaders associated with the rebel faction on Monday.
His presence has fueled discussions about the possibility of additional senior leaders aligning with the dissenting group in the coming days.
