TMC Turmoil
Mamata's nightmare deepens! Saayoni Ghosh, Dev, Rachana Banerjee among 19 rebel MPs seeking TMC split
New Delhi/IBNS: Trinamool Congress MP Saayoni Ghosh, who had once expressed her desire to see party chief Mamata Banerjee become Prime Minister in 2029, is among the 19 rebel parliamentarians seeking a split within the party in the Lok Sabha, media reports said.
Besides Saayoni, the list of rebel MPs includes several celebrity-politicians long considered loyal to the TMC supremo, including Rachana Banerjee, June Maliah and Dev.
A three-term Lok Sabha MP, Dev had just days earlier declared that he would stand by Mamata Banerjee throughout his political journey.
Mamata Banerjee was voted out of power in West Bengal last month.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Leads Rebellion
The rebellion is being led by TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is officially still recognised as the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha.
Former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan, who earned the "giant killer" tag after defeating Congress veteran Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Baharampur, is also among the rebel MPs.
However, Mamata Banerjee has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in her capacity as the party's founder-chairperson, informing him that Dastidar had already been replaced by Kalyan Banerjee as the chief whip.
The move has complicated the situation, particularly because Mamata had announced Kalyan Banerjee's appointment even before Dastidar openly revolted against the party.
NDA Support Speculation Gains Ground
The rebel MPs have fuelled speculation about extending support to the BJP-led NDA after reports emerged of their meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav's residence in New Delhi.
If the 19 MPs formally split from the TMC or join another political formation, Mamata Banerjee would be left with the support of just nine Lok Sabha MPs.
TMC's Rajya Sabha Strength Shrinks
The crisis has also impacted the party in the Rajya Sabha.
Earlier this week, three TMC Rajya Sabha MPs — Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik — resigned, reducing the party's strength in the Upper House from 13 to 10.
The developments have intensified questions over Mamata Banerjee's grip on the party's organisation and leadership.
Rebellion Reaches Bengal Assembly
The unrest is not confined to Parliament.
According to reports, around 60 TMC MLAs led by Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha have formed a separate bloc in rebellion against TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
The reported revolt has further deepened the political uncertainty surrounding the ruling party and raised fresh concerns about its future direction.
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