TMC rebel MPs plan defamation suit against Mahua Moitra over ‘Rs 40 crore bribe’ claim

According to sources, 20 rebel TMC MPs have decided to file a defamation suit against Moitra after she claimed that lawmakers who broke away from the party had been offered substantial financial incentives.

Sources said that the MPs recently held a meeting during which they agreed to initiate legal proceedings against Moitra.

The proposed defamation case centres on her allegation that MPs who abandoned the party received payments in exchange for their political realignment.

Moitra, a prominent supporter of Mamata Banerjee, alleged that the parliamentarians were paid Rs 4 crore in advance and then received Rs 1 crore every month for the next 36 months.

Her remarks followed comments by Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, who alleged that MPs in Maharashtra were being offered Rs 15 crore each to change political allegiance.

Responding to Raut's claim on X on June 17, Moitra wrote: "Only 15 cr? Saste mein kyo jaa rahe hai? Believe ours got Rs 4 cr up front and Rs 1 cr a month for next 36 months of term."

Split in TMC Parliamentary unit

The controversy comes in the wake of a major division within the TMC's Lok Sabha contingent.

Twenty of the party's 28 MPs, led by Chief Whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, broke away from the party and formed a separate faction.

The rebel MPs subsequently informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of their decision to align with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Dastidar stated that the decision followed consultations among the MPs and reflected what they viewed as the public mandate.

She said the group believed its future political direction should remain aligned with the NDA.

Move to avoid anti-defection law

The rebel lawmakers have joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a political outfit based in Tripura. 

The move is aimed at preventing disqualification under the anti-defection law.

Although the faction has not formally merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party, it has extended support to the NDA.

The split has reduced the TMC's strength in the Lok Sabha from 28 MPs to just eight, marking one of the most significant organisational setbacks for the party since its formation in 1998.

Moitra continues backing Mamata

Amid the ongoing political turmoil, Moitra has remained firmly aligned with Mamata Banerjee and has repeatedly criticised leaders associated with the rebel faction.

She recently described the rebel leaders as "completely useless" politicians who had survived politically because of Banerjee's popularity.

Moitra also targeted Baharampur MP and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan after he was accused by the TMC of supporting the rebel camp.

She questioned his decision to respond to a summons from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to display the courage that characterised his cricketing career.

Wider battle for control of TMC

The dispute between the party leadership and the rebel faction is unfolding alongside a broader struggle for influence within the TMC.

Earlier, expelled TMC MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha claimed they had the backing of 65 legislators while reiterating support for Mamata Banerjee's leadership.

The faction also asserted that it had crossed the two-thirds threshold required under the anti-defection law.