The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a severe internal crisis following the West Bengal Assembly elections, while the party appears to be fragmenting as 19 Members of Parliament (MPs) have reportedly rebelled, claiming to form a separate group. In a significant development, senior MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay has joined this dissident faction. Bandyopadhyay, along with fellow MP Satabdi Roy, was seen meeting with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, signaling a major shift in the state's political landscape.
The Meeting in Delhi
The rebellion within the Trinamool parliamentary party has brought it to the brink of a formal split. The 19 rebel MPs have already presented their claim to form a separate group before the Speaker. Sudip Bandyopadhyay, the MP from Kolkata North, was spotted in Delhi on Saturday in the company of rebel MP Satabdi Roy. The two leaders traveled together in the same car from Delhi airport directly to the residence of Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, where a high-level meeting commenced.
Leadership of the Rebel Faction
This dissident group within the TMC is reportedly being led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the MP from Barasat, and Satabdi Roy. The sight of Sudip Bandyopadhyay traveling with Satabdi Roy to a senior BJP leader's home has fueled intense speculation about his future with the party. Over the past few days, the rebel MPs have held multiple rounds of discussions at the Union Minister's residence.
Sequence of Events
Sudip Bandyopadhyay departed from Kolkata for Delhi on Saturday morning. Satabdi Roy was also on the same flight. Upon landing, Bandyopadhyay joined the rebel MP from Birbhum in her car to head toward Bhupendra Yadav's house. This coordinated movement suggests a planned strategy among the dissenting members.
The Growing Rebellion
The turmoil within the TMC has been escalating since the assembly elections. The party's control over its legislative wing seems to be slipping from Mamata Banerjee's hands. Last Monday, the cracks in the parliamentary party became evident in the Lok Sabha, with a majority of MPs appearing to move beyond the leadership's control. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has claimed the support of approximately 20 MPs who wish to support the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Center. A document surfaced on Friday bearing the signatures of 19 TMC MPs, although Bandyopadhyay's signature was notably absent at that time.
Future Plans and Leadership Roles
A crucial meeting of the rebel MPs is scheduled for Sunday in Delhi, which is expected to be attended by CM Suvendu Adhikari. On Monday, the group plans to meet the Speaker to formally demand the recognition of their separate faction. Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who is one of the most senior leaders in the Lok Sabha after Saugata Roy, had long served as the party's leader in the house. However, his recent replacement by Abhishek Banerjee as the party leader in the Lok Sabha had raised questions about his continued loyalty to the party. Sources suggest that if the Kolkata North MP joins the rebels, he might be appointed as the leader of the new group.
Impact on Mamata Banerjee
Bandyopadhyay's potential exit is a massive blow to Mamata Banerjee. He was among the original leaders who joined her when she left the Congress to form the TMC. However, their relationship has seen significant ups and downs. A past dispute arose when Bandyopadhyay claimed he was offered a ministry in the Vajpayee cabinet, a claim Mamata Banerjee contested. He briefly left the party in 2004 before returning. Also, his departure could lead to a double blow for the TMC, as his wife, Nayna Bandyopadhyay, who was recently appointed as a Deputy Leader and has been a close associate of Mamata Banerjee, might also follow suit.