Mamata's numbers problem grows: Just 8 MLAs, 6 MPs attend crucial TMC meet

The low turnout came days after a large number of party legislators skipped another important meeting, fuelling speculation about growing discontent within the party ranks.

The development comes in the backdrop of an open rebellion within the TMC following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

TMC clarifies low attendance

Responding to questions over the sparse attendance, the Trinamool Congress clarified that the gathering was a meeting of the party's National Working Committee and not a meeting of all MPs and MLAs.

In a statement, the party said several National Working Committee members, including MPs Mahua Moitra, Sushmita Dev, Mukul Sangma and Rajesh Tripathi, participated virtually.

The TMC currently has 28 Lok Sabha MPs, but only four attended the meeting in person. Of the party's 13 Rajya Sabha members, only Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen were present.

Among those who attended were Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee's nephew and a senior party leader, along with MLAs Madan Mitra, Beena Mondal, Ashima Patra, Firhad Hakim, Kunal Ghosh, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Biman Banerjee and Ashok Deb.

Meeting attended by key office-bearers: TMC

The gathering saw the participation of several leaders who occupy important positions in the Trinamool Congress's organisational structure.

As per the party statement, Mamata Banerjee remains the party's All India Chairperson, while Abhishek Banerjee serves as the All India General Secretary. Dola Sen and Derek O'Brien are the party's All India Joint General Secretaries and are also among its most prominent national faces.

Kunal Ghosh, who attended the meeting, is the party's State Spokesperson. Madan Mitra is in charge of the hawkers' organisation, while Biman Banerjee heads the legal cell.

The party's current organisational structure also includes Chandrima Bhattacharya as State President, Sayani Ghosh as Youth Wing President, Mala Roy as Women's Wing President, Priyanka Adhikari as President of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), and Moloy Ghatak as State President of the INTTUC.

Notably, the responsibility of selecting district presidents rests directly with Mamata Banerjee, underscoring her central role in the party's organisational affairs.

Rebels claim support is growing

The meeting took place as rebel leaders continued to project confidence about expanding their support base within the party.

Ritabrata Banerjee, who has emerged as the face of the dissident camp and is now serving as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, claimed that more MLAs are likely to join the rebellion in the coming days.

Speaking to NDTV, he said the number of legislators backing the rebel group would continue to increase and suggested that the camp already enjoys the support of more than two-thirds of TMC MLAs.

"As far as our numbers are concerned, that number will keep going up," he said, adding that the strength of the dissident bloc would become clearer during the upcoming Assembly session.

Questions over MPs' stand

While asserting that support among MLAs was growing, Ritabrata Banerjee declined to comment on the position of TMC MPs.

He said he had not spoken to any Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha MP over the past week and therefore could not confirm whether parliamentarians were considering a similar move.

However, reports have suggested that a significant number of TMC MPs may be exploring political alternatives.

Reports of BJP outreach

Media reports, quoting sources, had earlier indicated that at least 20 Trinamool Congress MPs were in touch with the BJP, adding to concerns within the party leadership about a possible widening of the revolt.

Many rebel legislators are also reportedly weighing the option of switching sides, although no formal announcements have been made so far.

Crisis deepens after election defeat

The rebellion erupted shortly after the TMC's defeat in the Assembly elections, where the BJP secured a decisive victory. Mamata Banerjee also lost from Bhabanipur, long considered one of her political strongholds.

In the aftermath of the electoral setback, several leaders began publicly questioning her leadership style and the party's functioning.

Facing what many observers describe as the most serious internal challenge in the party's history, the TMC leadership has already expelled two of its 80 MLAs as part of efforts to contain the rebellion.

The latest low turnout at Mamata Banerjee's meeting is likely to intensify questions about the party's unity as it grapples with its biggest political crisis since its formation.