TMC turmoil reaches Parliament as 20 MPs 'desire' to ally with BJP-led NDA

The turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) deepened on Monday after senior party MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar claimed that nearly 20 TMC parliamentarians had decided to support the NDA and had communicated their position to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, signalling a possible split in the party's parliamentary ranks.

The TMC currently has 28 Lok Sabha MPs and 12 Rajya Sabha MPs.

Speaking to PTI, Ghosh Dastidar said a letter had already been sent to Speaker Om Birla conveying the group's decision.


"Nearly 20 TMC MPs, including me, have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about our decision to support the NDA," she said.

Claiming that she continued to be the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Ghosh Dastidar said the move was taken after consultations with fellow MPs.

"We have accepted the people's verdict and believe that our future political course should be aligned with the NDA," she said.

Her remarks came a day after around 20 TMC MPs reportedly attended a closed-door meeting at an undisclosed location in Delhi, even as party chief Mamata Banerjee was in the national capital to attend the INDIA bloc meeting.

Also Read: As Mamata Banerjee attends INDIA bloc meet, dissident TMC MPs huddle in Delhi; split buzz reaches Parliament

According to party sources, as cited by PTI, the MPs discussed possible future options and voiced dissatisfaction with the party's current parliamentary leadership structure. The gathering fuelled speculation that the rebellion that recently weakened the party's legislative wing in West Bengal may now be spreading to its parliamentary ranks.

Sources familiar with the meeting said the MPs deliberated on their future political course and expressed concern that the party leadership had failed to adequately assess the reasons behind the electoral setback.

"The meeting was essentially about the future course. Several MPs expressed concern that the leadership was unwilling to acknowledge the reasons behind the party's electoral setback," a TMC leader aware of the discussions told PTI.

While sources had earlier indicated that no final decision was taken at the meeting, Ghosh Dastidar's claim suggests that a section of MPs may have moved ahead with plans to formally back the ruling alliance at the Centre.

A photograph from the meeting surfaced on social media on Monday, showing several TMC Lok Sabha MPs seated around a table, further intensifying speculation about divisions within the party.

Also Read: Sukhendu's exit deepens TMC unrest, rebel leader Ritabrata claims more MPs set to break ranks

Senior TMC MP Sougata Roy sought to downplay reports of a larger exodus.

"I have heard that some MPs held a separate meeting last night. Only they can say what transpired in the meeting. I was not contacted by them," Roy said.

Asked about reports that the BJP was reaching out to TMC MPs, Roy said he had also been approached but rejected the proposal.

"I told them I will remain with the TMC. At this age, it won't be possible for me to change camp," the 78-year-old four-term MP said.