Mamata Banerjee under pressure as more TMC MPs move toward rebel group

NEW DELHI: A report has claimed that more MPs from former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's party, Trinamool Congress (TMC), are set to join the rebel group, deepening the party's political crisis. MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said that two more Lok Sabha MPs are expected to join the rebel camp. If that happens, the number of rebel MPs in the Lok Sabha will rise to 22.

The TMC currently has 28 MPs in the Lok Sabha. If 22 MPs leave the party, they would not be affected by the anti-defection law due to the required numerical strength. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said the group would meet the Speaker on Monday and seek recognition as a separate bloc in Parliament. The rebel MPs have already announced their support for the NDA. According to Kakoli, several party members who have been unhappy with the political situation in West Bengal over the past four to five years have been in touch with the group.

Several rebel TMC MPs, including Saayoni Ghosh, Mala Roy, Satabdi Roy, Arup Chakraborty and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, recently held discussions with senior BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav. The meeting has fueled speculation about closer cooperation with the BJP.

The rebels announced support for the NDA amid reports that the Central Government may reintroduce the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. However, it is still unclear whether the rebel MPs will formally join the NDA or function as an independent parliamentary bloc. Meanwhile, as the Trinamool Congress faces one of its biggest parliamentary crises in recent years, senior leaders Gautam Deb and Chandrima Bhattacharya visited Mamata Banerjee's residence to discuss the evolving situation.