In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), nearly 20 of its 28 Lok Sabha members have formally communicated their decision to support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), dealing a significant blow to the party’s central leadership under Mamata Banerjee.
Senior TMC MP and former chief whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, representing Barasat, emerged as the face of the rebellion. She confirmed that the group, including herself, has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressing their desire to align with the NDA. The move is framed primarily around the development of West Bengal following the party’s defeat in the recent state assembly elections.
‘Nearly 20 TMC MPs, including me, have decided to support the NDA for Bengal’s development. We have decided to write to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and formally support the NDA,’ Ghosh Dastidar told PTI.
The development comes weeks after the BJP secured a landslide victory in the May 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, winning over 200 seats and ending TMC’s 15-year rule in the state. Suvendu Adhikari, who switched from TMC to BJP earlier, has since taken over as Chief Minister. Rebel TMC MPs have cited internal leadership issues, alleged misgovernance, and a disconnect with public sentiment as key reasons for their shift.
Strategic Implications
With around 20 MPs backing the move, the group appears to have crossed the two-thirds threshold of TMC’s Lok Sabha strength. This could potentially shield them from anti-defection provisions under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution if they form a separate bloc. Reports indicate the rebels plan to function as an independent group supporting the NDA while sitting separately in the House.
The support is expected to boost the NDA’s effective strength in the Lok Sabha from approximately 293 to over 310 seats, further consolidating the ruling alliance’s position. Several rebel MPs had reportedly met Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari in Delhi in recent days.
Reactions and Fallout
The rebellion has deepened divisions within TMC. Firebrand MP Mahua Moitra has publicly criticized the rebels, labeling some as traitors and urging them to resign and contest on BJP tickets. The party is yet to issue an official response from its top leadership, including Abhishek Banerjee, who leads the parliamentary wing.
This is not the first sign of unrest in the TMC. Internal dissent had been brewing, with some MPs resigning from party posts even before the assembly results. The Lok Sabha split mirrors earlier tensions and comes as TMC navigates its new role as a major opposition force both in the state and nationally within the INDIA bloc.