Amid mounting speculation of a split within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior party leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay on Tuesday asserted that the majority of the party’s MLAs remain firmly loyal to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and that the party’s veteran leadership continues to hold control over the organisation.
The Ballygunge MLA alleged that efforts were being made by the ruling establishment to engineer defections and weaken the opposition, but maintained that the TMC remained united despite the political turbulence.
His remarks come against the backdrop of intense rumours that a section of TMC legislators may break away under the leadership of expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee. Political circles in West Bengal have been abuzz with reports of meetings involving dissident legislators at a Kolkata hotel and the MLA Hostel over the past few days.
While there has been no official confirmation regarding the alleged rebellion, speculation suggests that anywhere between 20 and 50 MLAs could be in touch with the rebel camp. The TMC secured 80 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly in the recent elections, though two MLAs were expelled from the party on Monday for alleged anti-party activities.
“Under intense pressure from the ruling government, some individuals are being compelled to make statements regarding forged signatures. There are attempts to lure leaders away from the TMC through money and pressure tactics. We are closely monitoring the situation,” Chattopadhyay told PTI.
The controversy revolves around the party’s nomination of Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition, a decision currently under scrutiny by the CID following allegations that signatures of certain TMC MLAs were forged.
“There may be a few who give in to pressure, but there is no possibility of a large-scale rebellion. The majority of MLAs will stay with Mamata Banerjee, and the old guard will continue to lead the Trinamool Congress. The ‘Jora Ghas Phool’ symbol will remain with Mamata Banerjee,” he said.
The statement follows a video message released by Mamata Banerjee a day earlier, in which she accused the BJP of attempting to split the TMC through inducements and coercive tactics.
Adding to the political intrigue, reports of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s likely visit to New Delhi further fuelled speculation about possible realignments within the state’s political landscape.
The unfolding developments have drawn comparisons with Maharashtra’s political upheavals, where splits within regional parties led to major shifts in power and prolonged legal battles over party control and election symbols.
