Rebel Trinamool MPs Submit Letter Claiming Majority Support For Separate Bloc

The Trinamool Congress is witnessing growing internal turbulence, with reports emerging of a section of Lok Sabha members distancing themselves from the party and signaling a possible realignment with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The developments, which surfaced during discussions in Parliament, have added to speculation of widening fractures within the party’s parliamentary ranks. Lok Sabha MP Satabdi Roy, identified with the breakaway camp, confirmed that a formal communication has already been submitted to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

According to Roy, a letter signed by 19 Trinamool Congress Members of Parliament has been handed over to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. She indicated that a 20th signature could be added soon, strengthening the group’s claim of having sufficient numbers to assert its position within Parliament. The letter reportedly expresses the MPs’ intent to distance themselves from the Trinamool Congress and align with the NDA bloc. Roy described the development as evidence of what she called a “magic figure,” suggesting the group believes it has the numerical strength required for formal recognition as a separate bloc.

The rebel MPs have also sought separate seating arrangements in Parliament ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session, which is expected to begin in mid-July. Roy stated that the group anticipates formal recognition of their request in the next session. Under parliamentary rules, a breakaway group seeking recognition as a distinct faction must meet a two-thirds threshold to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, a benchmark the MPs claim to be close to achieving. Sources suggested that reaching this number would significantly strengthen the bloc’s position against any legal or procedural challenges.

Also Read: Former LS Secretary General Says Anti-Defection Law Does Not Recognise Separate Bloc

The developments come amid a series of resignations and internal disagreements within the party’s parliamentary wings. In recent days, several Trinamool Rajya Sabha members, including Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, and Prakash Chik Baraik, stepped down, reducing the party’s strength in the Upper House. The Trinamool Congress currently holds 28 Lok Sabha seats and 13 Rajya Sabha seats, though the recent resignations have altered its composition. The situation has intensified scrutiny of the party’s internal cohesion at the national level.

Separately, senior Trinamool leader Kalyan Banerjee launched a sharp attack on party leadership and on Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s second-in-command and nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee accused Abhishek of arrogance and alleged that internal functioning had made it difficult for him to continue working within the organisation. He also suggested that his political future could depend on the party’s leadership decisions, further highlighting factional tensions.

Responding to questions about these developments, Satabdi Roy distanced the rebel group’s actions from personal disputes, stating that their concerns were political rather than individual. She also indicated that there had been no communication from Mamata Banerjee regarding the situation. When asked about the party’s future, Roy suggested that the numbers could shift significantly in favour of the breakaway bloc, though no formal confirmation of such a realignment has been made by the party leadership. Mamata Banerjee has not publicly responded to the latest claims.

Also Read: Former LS Secretary General Says Anti-Defection Law Does Not Recognise Separate Bloc