West Bengal: Earthquake In Mamata Banerjee's TMC; 20 Rebel MPs Submit Letter To Om Birla; Want To Join NDA

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is in the throes of intense turmoil. On Monday, senior party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy abruptly resigned from both his primary membership of the party and his Rajya Sabha seat. This unexpected move has taken West Bengal politics in a new direction. Shortly after the resignation, around 14 rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs met with Suvendu Adhikari in Delhi.

This crucial political meeting has sparked a flurry of speculation within Delhi's political circles. Reports now indicate that the rebel TMC MPs have approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with a new demand; a group of these MPs has written to the Speaker requesting recognition as a separate parliamentary group (bloc) and the allocation of separate seating arrangements accordingly. They have also expressed a desire to join the NDA.

What is happening in the Trinamool Congress?

Meanwhile, following Sukhendu Sekhar Roy's resignation from both his parliamentary seat and party membership, a photograph has surfaced showing him alongside at least five TMC MPs. Those reportedly present at the meeting included Sharmila Sarkar (Bardhaman Purba), Prasun Banerjee (Howrah), Jagadish Basunia (Cooch Behar), Kalipada Soren (Jhargram), and Arup Chakraborty (Bankura). It is worth noting that Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has been a prominent face of the TMC in the Rajya Sabha for over a decade.

This latest development comes just days after a rebellion within the Trinamool legislative party in the West Bengal Assembly. Recently, 58 Trinamool MLAs rebelled against the party leadership by backing Ritabrata Banerjee for the post of Leader of the Opposition, rejecting the official candidate, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay. The Assembly Speaker subsequently recognized Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition.

A new entity emerging in West Bengal politics?

This incident had exposed deep rifts within the party following its defeat in the Assembly elections. Following these developments, speculation regarding new political equations in West Bengal has intensified. According to media reports, a new force is emerging under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari, actively attempting to unite disgruntled TMC leaders. If these 14 MPs were to formally rebel, the TMC's strength in the Lok Sabha would be significantly diminished.

However, no official statement has been issued so far by Mamata Banerjee or the party high command regarding this matter. Reports suggest that TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is taking the situation seriously and may soon make a major decision.