Double Whammy for Mamata Banerjee: As TMC Rebels Stake Claim in Bengal, Buzz Grows of a Repeat in Parliament

The Trinamool Congress is grappling with its deepest internal crisis in 28 years, as an open revolt in the state assembly fuels speculation of a potential split within the party’s parliamentary ranks.

The political landscape in West Bengal is in a state of flux as Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) confronts a structural revolt that threatens to erode her long-standing grip on the party. Following a crushing electoral defeat, what began as a dispute over alleged signature forgeries has ballooned into a significant legislative defiance. A faction led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has formally approached the Assembly Speaker, claiming the support of 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs. By crossing the two-thirds threshold required under anti-defection laws, the dissidents are positioning themselves as a separate bloc, aiming to install their own Leader of Opposition—a move that fundamentally challenges the official party line.

A Growing Rebellion

The crisis has sent shockwaves through the organization, prompting the leadership to dissolve all state-level committees in a bid to consolidate control. However, the defiance appears to be hardening. During a recent protest dharna in Kolkata, only eight MLAs and six MPs appeared in support of Mamata Banerjee, a stark illustration of the party’s dwindling cohesion. This shift has not been limited to mid-level cadres; even long-time loyalists like Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar have publicly aired grievances and stepped down from organizational roles, signaling a deep-seated disconnect between the leadership and its representatives.

Fears of a Parliamentary Ripple Effect

The turmoil in the state assembly has triggered intense speculation that a similar "Maharashtra-style" split could soon play out in the national Parliament. Veteran Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has voiced concerns that the dissent may not remain confined to West Bengal, warning that a reaction could be brewing within the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wings as well. While party loyalists like Sougata Roy maintain that the current instability is merely a temporary setback, the sheer scale of the rebellion has left the party vulnerable.

The High-Stakes Power Struggle

Political observers suggest that the current discord is the most serious threat to Mamata Banerjee since she founded the TMC after breaking away from the Congress in 1998. The rebels have carefully navigated institutional protocols, seeking official recognition while asserting that they remain the "real" voice of the party. As the rift widens, the silence from many senior leaders during recent attacks on party figures has only fueled the narrative of a fractured house. With the party machinery struggling to contain the fallout, the question is no longer just about legislative numbers, but whether the TMC can survive this systematic challenge to its internal hierarchy.