A breakaway faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced plans to approach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as the “real TMC,” deepening an internal crisis that has engulfed one of India’s largest opposition parties. The dissident group claims the support of 19 Lok Sabha MPs and is expected to formally press its case before the Speaker on Monday.

The move comes amid growing turmoil within the Trinamool Congress following its electoral setback in the West Bengal Assembly elections and the subsequent rebellion by a section of its legislators and parliamentarians. What initially began as a state-level political challenge has now expanded to Parliament, threatening to reshape the party’s national presence.

Rebel MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, who represents Cooch Behar, said the dissident lawmakers would seek official recognition from the Speaker as a separate parliamentary group. According to Basunia, the faction believes it has sufficient support among TMC MPs to justify its claim. While sources indicated that the exact timing of the meeting is yet to be finalized, preparations for the delegation’s visit are underway.

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Basunia also responded sharply to allegations made by fellow TMC MP Kirti Azad, who reportedly suggested that dissident lawmakers were being financially induced to switch loyalties. Rejecting the accusation, Basunia described the remarks as baseless and inappropriate, emphasizing that the group’s actions were driven by political convictions rather than external influence.

The internal dispute has also exposed divisions among senior party leaders. Basunia expressed support for comments made by veteran TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee, who recently launched a public attack on party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Kalyan Banerjee declared that he would remain in the party only if Abhishek Banerjee was removed from all leadership positions, highlighting the widening rift within the organization.

The rebellion poses a significant challenge to the Trinamool Congress leadership, which has long projected a united front under its central command. A formal request for recognition as the “real TMC” could trigger a complex parliamentary and legal process, requiring the Speaker to examine claims regarding support, party identity, and legislative status.

Political observers note that the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the opposition landscape, particularly if a substantial number of MPs align with the dissident faction. The Speaker’s response to the rebels’ petition will be closely watched, as it could influence not only the balance of power within the Trinamool Congress but also the broader dynamics of opposition politics in Parliament.

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