Amid growing political turbulence in West Bengal, speculation of a possible split within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified after reports that 16 party MPs, including Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, met at a private venue in Kolkata on Monday, triggering questions over internal unity in the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

According to sources, the meeting took place at a BJP minister’s residence and has been interpreted by political observers as a significant development against the backdrop of post-election tensions in the state. The gathering has fuelled rumours that a section of TMC parliamentarians may be exploring a separate political alignment following the party’s recent electoral setback in West Bengal.

Adding to the speculation, the MPs have reportedly written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting recognition as a separate faction in Parliament. If accepted, such a move could formalise a breakaway group within the legislature, subject to constitutional provisions under the Tenth Schedule, which require at least a two-thirds majority of MPs to avoid disqualification in cases of party defection.

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The development comes at a time when internal dissent within the TMC is under scrutiny, particularly following the resignation of senior leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray from the Rajya Sabha and his formal exit from the party earlier in the day. Ray alleged that the party’s internal environment had deteriorated, citing corruption allegations and concerns over women’s safety issues in the state.

In his remarks to the media, Ray claimed he had become increasingly isolated within the party after demanding an internal inquiry into alleged lapses by police officials in connection with the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case. He said his push for accountability marked a turning point in his relationship with the party leadership.

“My only fault was that I demanded an internal inquiry against certain police officers because I believed they had a major role in destruction of evidence,” Ray said, adding that he felt he would not remain in the party for long after raising the issue. While the Trinamool Congress has not officially responded to the developments, the reports of coordinated meetings among MPs and Ray’s resignation have intensified political chatter about a possible factional realignment within the party. However, no formal confirmation of a split has been made by any of the leaders involved.

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