Mamata Banerjee is witnessing possibly the worst crisis of her political career as the Trinamool Congress led by her is currently grappling with an existential crisis following rebellion by several senior leaders and legislators. Now, India Today has accessed a copy of the letter submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker by a group of 19 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, marking a dramatic escalation of the political crisis engulfing the party after its crushing defeat in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.
The letter, dated May 18, bears the signatures of 19 Lok Sabha MPs who have backed the formation of a separate parliamentary faction and are now staking claim to the TMC’s symbol, asserting that they represent the “real” Trinamool Congress.
The development leaves only nine of the party’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs outside the rebel camp, although the positions of some members remain unclear.
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
- Partha Bhowmick
Sources said the dissident MPs have informed the Speaker of their intention to function as a separate parliamentary group.
The rebel faction has maintained that it does not intend to join the BJP or the NDA but will operate independently while pursuing what it describes as the interests of West Bengal.
The group is also understood to be closely watching the Centre’s plans to make another attempt to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill in Parliament.
DEEPENING TMC CRISIS
The latest development comes days after reports emerged of growing unrest among TMC MPs, with several leaders expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s functioning and the influence of national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
The rebellion in Parliament followed an unprecedented revolt in the West Bengal Assembly, where a large section of MLAs broke away from the party’s legislative fold, triggering the biggest internal crisis in the TMC’s 28-year history.
The timing of the letter could also become a crucial factor in the Speaker’s decision.
Sources said the communication submitted by the rebel MPs carries the date of May 18, a day before senior MP Kalyan Banerjee was appointed chief whip of the party in the Lok Sabha on May 19.
The Speaker will now have to determine whether the dissident group can be recognised on technical and procedural grounds.
LEGAL BATTLE IN OFFING?
The rebellion has also opened the door to a potentially prolonged legal and political battle over control of the party.
The rebel faction is expected to stake claim to the TMC symbol before the Election Commission, arguing that it represents the majority of the party’s parliamentary strength.
Any decision by the poll body is likely to be challenged by the losing side, potentially taking the dispute to the Supreme Court.
Among those who have publicly distanced themselves from the rebel camp is senior MP Shatrughan Sinha, who reaffirmed his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee and denied signing any letter supporting the breakaway faction.
Along with Abhishek Banerjee, Sougata Ray, Mahua Moitra, Kalyan Banerjee, Kirti Azad, Pratima Mondal, Sajda Ahmed and Sudip Bandopadhyay, he remains among the MPs not currently associated with the rebel group.
With the TMC’s parliamentary wing now facing the prospect of a formal split, attention will shift to the Speaker’s office and the Election Commission, whose decisions could determine the future of one of India’s most influential regional parties.
– Ends
