Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 11: The rebellion within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified on Thursday, with the dissident faction in the Lok Sabha reportedly awaiting the support of a prominent party leader before formally approaching Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for recognition as a separate bloc.
The rebel camp, led by senior TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, is understood to be in touch with a senior parliamentarian whose inclusion is expected to strengthen the group's position and lend greater credibility to its challenge against TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.
Sources said the dissident camp has delayed submitting its request to the Speaker as it waits for the "political heavyweight" to formally join the group.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar claimed that 20 of the party's 28 Lok Sabha MPs support the move to form a separate bloc and back the ruling NDA at the Centre.
Speaking about the reasons behind the rebellion, she alleged that corruption, misgovernance and a lack of internal democracy had pushed leaders to revolt.
“There was rampant corruption, misgovernance and there was no democracy. We have left the party because we want to survive in public life and continue in public service,” she said.
On the future course of action, Dastidar stated that the rebel MPs had decided to support the NDA for now and would later determine the nature of that support collectively.
Sources claimed that the rebel faction has secured the backing of more than two-thirds of the party's Lok Sabha members, a number that could potentially shield them from disqualification under anti-defection provisions.
Meanwhile, internal criticism of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has become increasingly vocal.
Veteran party leader Saugata Roy expressed concerns over what he described as Abhishek Banerjee's "high-handedness", saying the issue needed to be addressed by the party leadership.
“The two key grievances of the rebels include the high-handedness of Abhishek Banerjee and the absence of anyone within the party to listen to grievances,” Roy said, while maintaining that he continued to support Mamata Banerjee "as of now".
Senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee also publicly criticised Abhishek Banerjee after being replaced as legal counsel in a party-related case.
“Even today, in the party's bad days, I am beside Didi. Mamata Banerjee has to decide whether she will stay with Abhishek or us who are unhappy with him,” he said.
The crisis has now spread across both Parliament and the West Bengal Assembly.
In Kolkata, 58 of the party's 80 MLAs reportedly opposed the leadership's decision to appoint Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition and instead backed Ritabrata Banerjee for the post.
In Parliament, the party has already suffered setbacks in the Rajya Sabha, with Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik resigning from the Upper House. Reports suggest that more resignations could follow in the coming days.
The developments represent one of the most serious internal challenges faced by Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress in recent years, with the party now confronting simultaneous revolts in both its legislative and parliamentary wings.