Mamata’s return to Congress? Sonia Gandhi reportedly floats ‘Ghar Wapsi’ offer to TMC chief

According to reports, Sonia Gandhi has proposed a “ghar wapsi” option for Mamata Banerjee, who began her political career with the Congress before founding the TMC.

Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, were also reportedly given the offer by the Congress leadership, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Both leaders are currently in New Delhi, where they attended a meeting of the INDIA bloc.

(L-R) Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee. Photo: AITC/Facebook

Political Context

This development comes at a time when, as per reports, the TMC is facing internal challenges.

The party’s position in the Lok Sabha is said to have weakened after a group of MPs extended support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and formed a separate bloc.

If these reports are accurate, Mamata Banerjee could be left with a reduced number of loyal MPs in the Lower House as the party grapples with one of its most serious internal challenges in recent years.

Situation in West Bengal

In West Bengal, reports also suggest turbulence within the party after a section of MLAs allegedly broke away and formed a separate bloc in the state Assembly, leading to a loss of Opposition strength for the TMC.

Rebel leaders have reportedly projected Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition, openly challenging the authority of the party leadership.

The situation has been further complicated by allegations from some legislators regarding forged signatures in an internal party letter, prompting a CID probe, according to reports.

Speculation Over Party Control

Amid these developments, speculation has also emerged that Mamata Banerjee’s control over the party’s structure and symbol could face further challenges, though no official confirmation has been made.

Mamata Banerjee: Political Journey

Mamata Banerjee began her political career in the Indian National Congress, where she rose as a prominent grassroots leader in West Bengal.

She also served as a Union Minister in several departments during her early parliamentary career.

In 1998, she broke away from the Congress and founded the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) after differences with the party leadership. The move marked the beginning of a new regional political force in West Bengal.

Her biggest political breakthrough came in 2011, when she ended the 34-year-long Left Front rule in West Bengal and became the state’s first woman Chief Minister.

Since then, she has remained one of the most influential political figures in the state, leading the TMC to multiple electoral victories.

Mamata's TMC was voted out of power by the BJP in the 2026 Assembly Elections.

The BJP stormed into power for the first time in West Bengal with over 200 seats while TMC was reduced to only 80.