Trinamool destruction complete? 20 TMC MPs likely to join BJP, tough times for Mamata

NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress is stumbling down like a pack of cards in its fortress, West Bengal. Following the threat of a split from rebel MLAs, all the party committees in the state were dissolved by the leadership. Following the protests in the Bengal Assembly, there are indications that the disputes will also reverberate in Parliament.

The Trinamool Congress has a total of 41 MPs in both houses of the Indian Parliament. 28 in the Lok Sabha and 13 in the Rajya Sabha. It is indicated that about 20 MPs may leave the party and join the BJP soon. National media reports that discussions are underway among top leaders and that MPs have expressed their interest. It is reported that many attended the meeting called by Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari last week.

Senior leaders, including those from the ruling Trinamool Congress, have turned against Mamata, citing corruption and administrative lapses. There is already a divide in the Trinamool Legislative Party in Bengal. A rebel faction of 60 MLAs led by MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has declared itself as the "real" Trinamool Party. This faction has appointed Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition and has received the approval of the Assembly Speaker.

Mamata Banerjee is currently struggling to retain the party's name and symbol. The split within Trinamool, the second largest group among the opposition parties, could seriously affect the opposition's strength in Parliament.

The BJP currently has 240 MPs in the Lok Sabha. If 20 more MPs join from Trinamool, the BJP will have 260 MPs. The party needs the support of 272 MPs to pass bills in the Lok Sabha.