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Veteran TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy warned that the developments in the West Bengal Assembly could have repercussions in Parliament as well.
Mamata’s Crisis Deepens: Senior TMC MP Warns of Possible Revolt in Lok Sabha. File pic/PTI
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s political challenges may not be limited to the state Assembly. Following the rebellion by a large section of Trinamool Congress MLAs in West Bengal, speculation is growing that a similar development could emerge within the party’s parliamentary ranks.
According to a PTI report, a section of TMC MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may be considering a move similar to that made by rebel MLAs in the state Assembly.
The developments come after around 60 of the party’s 80 MLAs backed expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
A big warning?
Veteran TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy warned that the developments in the Assembly could have repercussions in Parliament as well. “I have never seen around 60 MLAs leave in such a short span of time. A similar reaction is likely in the Lok Sabha too,” PTI quoted him as saying.
When asked whether a similar development could take place in the Rajya Sabha, Roy did not give a direct answer but indicated that the possibility could not be ruled out, according to the report. However, another senior party leader offered a different assessment.
TMC MP Sougata Roy said the developments in the Assembly were only a temporary setback and rejected suggestions that the party was nearing collapse.
“The BJP may try an operation in the TMC’s Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wings, similar to what happened in the West Bengal Assembly. But Mamata Banerjee has fought bigger battles and will bounce back,” he said.
Challenge for Mamata
Mamata Banerjee founded the Trinamool Congress in 1998 after breaking away from the Congress. Since then, she has remained the central figure in the party and one of the most influential leaders in West Bengal politics.
The current crisis is being seen as one of the biggest internal challenges she has faced, with several leaders publicly expressing dissent. Even some leaders regarded as loyalists, including Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, have voiced concerns about the party leadership.
Rebels TMC MLAs still back Mamata’s leadership
Despite supporting Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition, many rebel MLAs continue to express loyalty to Mamata Banerjee. During a meeting on Thursday, Ritabrata reportedly suggested that Mamata could become the “chief adviser” of a reconstituted legislature party. Several rebel MLAs were uncomfortable with the proposal.
“We were told that the party would continue under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. She is not merely an adviser. We want the party to function under her leadership,” rebel MLA Gulshan Mullick told PTI.
“If Mamata Banerjee is not accepted as the supreme leader, then we will have to think whether we should remain in this bloc or not,” he added.
Another rebel MLA, Sangeeta Roy Basunia, also described Mamata as the party’s supreme leader. “She cannot be an adviser. She is our leader,” Basunia said.
The comments suggest that while differences may exist over the influence of Abhishek Banerjee in the functioning of the legislature party, loyalty towards Mamata remains strong among many rebels. According to PTI, Mamata Banerjee has spoken to several party MLAs and MPs in an effort to reopen communication channels with dissidents.
Senior TMC leaders told the agency that similar efforts are underway in Parliament to prevent the rebellion from spreading to Delhi.
The Trinamool Congress currently has 28 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 13 in the Rajya Sabha. The report said two trusted MPs, one from each House, have been tasked with reaching out to colleagues.
Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said on Friday that the party would move court on Monday against the appointment of Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. “We will file a petition before the high court,” he said, describing the appointment as “illegal”.
On Friday, only eight MLAs and six MPs attended a key party meeting at Mamata Banerjee’s residence in South Kolkata’s Kalighat.
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