Senior Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee described the rebellion as an “act of betrayal” and asserted that the departure of dissenting leaders had exposed their true political loyalties.
Addressing a press conference, Banerjee said the party was relieved that those he described as “double-character people” had openly revealed their intentions. He declared that anyone wishing to leave the party was free to do so, but insisted that they could no longer invoke the names of the Trinamool Congress or Mamata Banerjee. According to him, the public was fully aware of the facts and continued to support the party leadership.
Banerjee also claimed that the BJP would be unwilling to accommodate the rebel lawmakers. He argued that they lacked the numerical strength required to merge with another political party.
Despite the public display of confidence, concerns continue to grow within Trinamool ranks over the party’s future. The rebellion by nearly two dozen MPs has raised serious questions about the party leadership and risks damaging its image among voters.
Sources indicated that the Trinamool Congress has initiated efforts to bring the rebels back into the fold. Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee is reportedly attempting to persuade the dissidents to return, reminding them of their long-standing association with Mamata Banerjee. However, the rebel lawmakers remain firm in their position, according to sources.
The dissenting MPs delivered a strong message to the party leadership by appointing Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as their own chief whip, directly challenging Mamata Banerjee’s decision to assign the crucial parliamentary role to Kalyan Banerjee.
The rebels also submitted a letter to the Speaker expressing their intention to support the NDA. Responding to the development, Kalyan Banerjee said the party would await the Speaker’s decision before considering any legal action.
He continued his criticism of the dissidents, alleging that the BJP was attempting to weaken the Trinamool Congress and questioning whether the rebel lawmakers were acting out of fear of the central government.
Banerjee pointed out that many of the rebel leaders had previously campaigned extensively for the Trinamool Congress and had publicly praised Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. He argued that their current allegations emerged only after the party lost power and accused them of being unable to function outside positions of authority.
The senior MP also challenged the rebels to return to their constituencies and face the voters who had elected them.
The political turmoil follows the Trinamool Congress’s crushing defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The loss brought an end to the party’s 15-year rule in the state and triggered a wave of defections. The developments have left Mamata Banerjee, 71, fighting one of the most difficult political battles of her five-decade career.
The crisis extends beyond Parliament and now threatens to divide the party within the state assembly as well. At least 60 of the party’s more than 80 MLAs have reportedly aligned themselves with a rebel faction led by MLA Ritabrata Banerjee. The faction has installed Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition, despite the Trinamool Congress backing Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay for the position.
As the rebellion expands across both Parliament and the West Bengal Assembly, the Trinamool Congress faces one of the most significant challenges in its history, with questions emerging over its leadership, unity, and political future following the end of its long-standing rule in the state.
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