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

Kolkata/New Delhi: The political turbulence that has gripped the TMC since its assembly election debacle appeared to spill over to its parliamentary ranks, with a group of dissident MPs holding a closed-door meeting in Delhi even as party supremo Mamata Banerjee was in the national capital for the INDIA bloc conclave.

Party sources said around 20 MPs attended the informal gathering at an undisclosed location late on Sunday night at the national capital, triggering fresh speculation that the rebellion, which recently fractured the TMC's legislature party in West Bengal, may now be taking shape within its parliamentary wing.

According to sources familiar with the meeting, the MPs discussed possible future courses of action and expressed their displeasure over the existing party's parliamentary leadership structure.


Senior TMC MP Sougata Roy, however, sought to dismiss suggestions of a larger exodus.

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

Asked about reports of attempts by the BJP to reach out to TMC MPs, Roy said he had been contacted but had declined the offer.

"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 told PTI.

While no decision was taken, the very fact that such options were deliberated upon underscored the depth of discontent among a section of TMC parliamentarians.

"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 said.

A photograph from the meeting surfaced on social media on Monday, showing several TMC Lok Sabha MPs seated around a table.