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Rebel TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, who became the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly on Wednesday, claimed that support for the rebel group would continue to grow.
No End to TMC Turmoil: Most MPs, MLAs Skip Mamata Banerjee’s Meeting. (Representational image/News18)
As the ‘Asli TMC vs Mamata’ row escalates, the party’s troubles showed no signs of easing on Friday, with only eight MLAs attending a meeting at former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kolkata’s Kalighat. The meeting came just days after around 60 of the party’s 80 MLAs skipped a key gathering, fuelling speculation about growing unrest within the organisation.
The Trinamool Congress later clarified that the event was a National Working Committee meeting and not a gathering of all MPs and MLAs.
Most MPs absent
The party currently has 28 Lok Sabha MPs, but only four attended the meeting at Mamata Banerjee’s residence. In the Rajya Sabha, 11 of the party’s 13 MPs did not attend the huddle. Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, was among the MPs present. Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen were the only Rajya Sabha MPs who attended.
Among the MLAs who turned up were Madan Mitra, Beena Mondal, Ashima Patra, Firhad Hakim, Kunal Ghosh, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Biman Banerjee and Ashok Deb.
Responding to questions over the low attendance, the party said, “Please note – it was a National Working Committee and not of all MLAs or MPs. Many MPs like Mahua Moitra, Sushmita Dev, Mukul Sangma and Rajesh Tripathi, who are part of the National WC, had joined virtually.”
Rebel TMC camp predicts bigger numbers
Rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, who became the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly on Wednesday, claimed that support for the rebel group would continue to grow.
He said the number of MLAs backing him would increase further. “As far as our numbers are concerned, that number will keep going up. We have presented a number that is more than two-thirds, and that number will be higher when we meet during the Assembly session,” he said.
Ritabrata maintained that support for his camp would not decline. “Let’s wait and watch. As the thing progresses, you will see the number of MLAs. I won’t take responsibility for other elected representatives. I won’t go into that. But as far as MLAs are concerned, the numbers will go on increasing,” he added.
Asked whether Trinamool MPs were also planning to form a rebel group, he said he had not spoken to any MP over the past week. “In the last seven days, I have not spoken to a single MP. So, at present, I cannot tell you about the MPs,” he said.
Party faces biggest crisis
Reports suggest that many rebel MLAs are considering switching sides. Sources have also claimed that at least 20 Trinamool Congress MPs are in touch with the BJP.
The rebellion began shortly after the Trinamool lost the Assembly elections to the BJP. Mamata Banerjee was defeated by Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, considered her political stronghold.
Following the defeat, several party leaders began questioning Mamata Banerjee’s leadership style. Facing what is being described as the most serious crisis in the party’s history, the Trinamool Congress has already expelled two of its 80 MLAs.
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