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Rebellion Brews as 20 TMC MPs Eye Alliance with NDA
A significant fissure within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has emerged, as nearly 20 party MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, prepare to formally express their intent to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In a letter shared with ThePrint, Dastidar stated, “This decision comes after extensive discussions among fellow MPs.” Despite her recent removal as the TMC's chief whip in the Lok Sabha on May 20, Dastidar insists she still holds the position, highlighting her consultation with colleagues before making this pivotal choice.
Dastidar's dismissal was met with her strong condemnation, labeling the action as “arbitrary and unilateral.” She emphasized that although the party chairperson had announced her replacement, it does not nullify her parliamentary role. “We have accepted the people's verdict and believe that our future political course should be aligned with the NDA,” she asserted, indicating their next step would be to notify the Lok Sabha Speaker.
This internal conflict within the TMC unfolds as party president Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek, attended an INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi. The situation escalated further when senior leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray resigned from both his Rajya Sabha position and the party entirely. A source from the rebel faction disclosed that several MPs met with BJP leader and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, signaling a growing rift as TMC struggles with dissent following its poor electoral performance in West Bengal.
The remaining loyalists within the TMC quickly countered the rebel MPs' claims. TMC Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad took to social media, refuting Dastidar's assertions about her leadership role and reminding the public that her replacement was communicated to the Speaker last month. “The question is for how long the BJP will keep hoodwinking the people?” Azad questioned, illustrating the tension that continues to mount within the party.
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