• Source:JND

TMC Infighting: It is unimaginable that under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, a rebel group may emerge within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which was founded by her after parting ways with Congress in 1998. Mamata and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, dominate the party, sparing no room for dissenters. Several disgruntled, including Suvendu Adhikari, have left the TMC over the years, but the dominance of aunt and nephew remained unchallenged. But this time, something different happened. The duo faced a threat that was faced by several regional parties, including Sharad Pawar's National Congress Party (NCP) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, in the last couple of years. Rebel TMC MLAs reportedly claimed that they are the real TMC, creating a fear of splitting.

20 To 50 MLAs May Revolt Against Mamata

Two MLAs - Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha - were expelled on Monday for "anti-party activities", bringing infighting in TMC to the public. Subsequently, reports emerged from West Bengal, where a change of regime took place, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party formed the government for the first time, defeating the TMC, that dissident MLAs are gathering at a Kolkata hotel and at the MLA Hostel over the past few days. While there has been no official confirmation, speculations suggest the number of legislators in touch with the rebel camp could range between 20 and 50. The TMC won 80 MLAs in the 294-member assembly this election.

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Quiz

What Mamata's Camp Said?

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay on Tuesday asserted that the majority of the party MLAs would remain with Mamata, saying the TMC's old guard would continue to retain control of the organisation. The senior leader alleged that attempts were being made by the ruling dispensation to engineer defections and destabilise the opposition party, but maintained that the TMC remained united.

"There may be a few who succumb to pressure, but there is no fear that a large rebellion will take place. The majority of MLAs will remain with Mamata Banerjee, and the old guard will continue to be firmly in control of the Trinamool Congress. The twin-flower symbol ('jora ghas phool') will remain with Mamata," he said.

ALSO READ: TMC Facing A Split Threat? High-Profile Meetings In Kolkata Might Trouble Mamata Banerjee

Here Are Key Factors That Trigger TMC Split Fear

1. Fake Signature Row: It all started with a forged signature row. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, at a press conference, claimed that two MLAs (Ritabrata and Sandipan) had filed complaints in connection with the 'fake signature' case in the state assembly, where the TMC endorsed Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition, after which Mamata expelled the duo. This was the first time the party's infighting came to light after the election debacle. The signature issue prompted a CID probe and claim by rebel MLAs that the "party symbol" and majority are with them, similar to the split in Maharashtra.

2. Corruption Charges: Following the BJP's victory, several TMC leaders are in fear of facing action in the corruption charges. The BJP, when it was in the Opposition, levelled several corruption (syndicate raj and cut money) charges against the ruling party leaders. Now, a fear of action by the BJP government pushed them to think about switching or rebelling against party supremo, Mamata. Recently, Four-term TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and a few MLAs participated in a meeting chaired by CM Adhikari in North 24 Parganas, signalling a rebellion against the former chief minister.

3. Post Poll Violence: The fear of post-poll violence is growing in West Bengal after TMC MPs - Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee were publicly attacked by a group of unidentified men in the presence of security forces. The BJP alleged that there is a huge public anger against the TMC for its 15-year-long misrule.

4. Electoral Defeat: After being in power for 15 long years, some TMC leaders are still seeking power, as they feel staying in Opposition may draw legal trouble for them due to a long list of corruption and political violence charges.

5. Abhishek Factor: There has always been discontent within the party against the emergence of Mamata's nephew, especially after 2020, when Adhikari left the TMC. Since Adhikari, a challenger of Abhishek, became the chief minister, many old friends of the CM are thinking of joining the BJP. Disgruntled leaders claim that Abhishek took over the party from Mamata.

(With Agencies Inputs)


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