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The political uncertainty intensified after senior TMC leader and six-time MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay met BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi on Saturday.
Shantanu Thakur Predicts TMC’s End as Rebel Camp Gains Momentum
Amid the growing crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Union Minister Shantanu Thakur claimed on Saturday that the party’s future was in doubt as rebellion continued to spread among its MPs and legislators. “In the coming times, the TMC party won’t remain,” Thakur said.
Referring to leaders reportedly looking for political alternatives, he added, “These people want to join the BJP, but the doors of the BJP are closed.”
Commenting on the police action at the residence of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Thakur said, “Whatever negative actions have taken place, the ED will take action against them.”
Sudip Bandyopadhyay meets BJP leader in Delhi
The political uncertainty intensified after senior TMC leader and six-time MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay met BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi on Saturday. Bandyopadhyay was accompanied by dissident MP Satabdi Roy during the meeting.
The meeting has fuelled speculation that another Lok Sabha MP could join the rebel group that is challenging the TMC leadership. The development comes ahead of a possible meeting between the dissident MPs and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, where they are expected to seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group.
TMC reshuffles party posts
Hours after the meeting in Delhi, the TMC removed Bandyopadhyay from the post of North Kolkata organisational district president. He was replaced by party state spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
The party also replaced TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh as president of the state youth congress, appointing Arnab Banerjee in her place.
In another setback for the party, former minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia resigned from the TMC later in the night.
Reacting to the crisis, TMC MP Saugata Roy said, “This is part of the BJP’s ongoing Operation Lotus. They tempted and threatened the TMC people. Those who are weak—those lacking principles or whose convictions aren’t solid—have left. The BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’—which goes against Indian democracy—has met with some success… They (rebel MPs) lack faith, which is why they are leaving. I don’t know if the BJP will take them in or not. Nothing has been decided yet. They are saying they will sit in a separate bloc.”
Rebel TMC camp eyes recognition
The rebellion gathered pace after the TMC’s recent defeat in the Assembly elections. Several leaders have claimed that their opinions and suggestions were ignored within the party. Many of them have blamed Abhishek Banerjee for the situation.
According to a person familiar with the developments, the rebel MPs are relying on their strength in both Parliament and the Assembly to seek recognition as the “real TMC”.
“The rebel MPs are relying on their legislative strength both in the assembly as well as Parliament to stake claim to being recognised as the real TMC. Of course, the Speaker’s decision will be final,” the person said.
The rebel group is also expected to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday.
Numbers add pressure on Mamata Banerjee
A letter dated May 18 has reportedly been signed by 19 MPs supporting the rebel move. The list contains serial numbers from 1 to 20, but no signature appears against number 13. It remains unclear whether Bandyopadhyay has signed the letter and could become the 20th signatory.
The TMC currently has 28 MPs in the Lok Sabha, including Abhishek Banerjee.
Of these, 19 MPs have reportedly come together to seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group.
The crisis has also spread to the West Bengal Assembly, where 64 of the party’s 80 legislators, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, have rebelled against Mamata Banerjee’s decision to appoint Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition.
In the Rajya Sabha, the TMC’s strength has fallen from 13 to 10 after the resignations of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik.
About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen…Read More
Delhi, India, India
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