A group of dissident Trinamool Congress MPs gathered at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on Motilal Nehru Marg in New Delhi on Monday, triggering fresh speculation about a possible split within the party's parliamentary ranks.
According to sources, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was also present at the meeting. The development comes at a significant moment, as an INDIA bloc meeting was being held just a few kilometres away at the Constitution Club. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended that meeting alongside Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi.
The meeting has intensified discussions over whether Trinamool Congress could face a major split in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The development comes shortly after Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray resigned from both the Upper House and the party.
Several Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs attended the closed-door meeting
Sources said the dissident MPs had first held a separate internal discussion before meeting Bhupender Yadav. Several prominent faces from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were reportedly present. Along with veteran parliamentarians, a number of newer MPs were also seen attending.
While some sources claimed nearly 20 Trinamool MPs participated in the meeting, others suggested the number was closer to 12. The exact figure remains unclear. Political observers believe the timing of the meeting is particularly significant as it took place while Mamata Banerjee was in Delhi.
The Trinamool Congress parliamentary party in the state Assembly has recently witnessed major upheaval. Out of 80 legislators, around 60 reportedly formed a separate group and elected Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition. Other leaders chosen by the group include Sandipan Saha, Javed Khan, Shiuli Saha and Sabina Yasmin as deputy leaders.
Recent developments in Bengal add to speculation over internal divisions
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Ritabrata Banerjee said there was nothing unusual about members of a parliamentary party meeting together. He remarked that they have their own aspirations. The distance between Kolkata and Delhi is 1,435 kilometres, but those aspirations have already reached Delhi.
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Banerjee also revealed that he had spoken to several MPs on Sunday and expressed support for the recently resigned Sukhendu Sekhar Ray. He said that they agree with the points raised by Sukhendu, adding that he had experienced similar issues during his tenure as an MP.
For the past few days, there has been speculation that rebel Trinamool MPs may adopt a strategy similar to that used by dissident MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly, who elected Ritabrata Banerjee as their leader and formally informed the Speaker. Political circles are now closely watching the outcome of the Delhi meeting and its possible impact on the party's future.
