Top TMC leaders accuse rebel MPs of defecting to the BJP. As a separate bloc forms under Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, internal party tensions escalate dramatically in the capital.
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) is grappling with a severe internal crisis as senior leaders publicly denounce a growing faction of lawmakers who appear to be aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, AITC Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee, and Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad addressed the media to discuss the ongoing turmoil within their ranks. Banerjee explicitly accused several lawmakers of shifting their allegiance, stating that these leaders have effectively become part of the BJP fold. He remarked, “Today their leader is Narendra Modi. They have become BJP.” The situation highlights the deepening fracture in the party’s unity as it seeks to maintain its political footing at the national level.
The escalation follows a critical meeting held on Monday, June 8, 2026, where several Trinamool Congress MPs met with Union Minister and BJP West Bengal observer Bhupendra Yadav at his residence. This gathering served as the catalyst for Banerjee’s harsh public rebuke. He urged the defectors to “stop writing TMC leader/MP beside your name” if they intend to support the opposition alliance. Banerjee questioned their loyalty by asking, “Post the election results, did these leaders or Sharmila Sarkar stand by the families of the deceased or affected party workers?” His comments underscore the party’s narrative that the rebels have abandoned their base in favor of political expediency.
At the center of this developing narrative is the formation of a distinct political group. Reports indicate that 20 rebel MPs are planning to form a separate bloc to support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the Barasat Lok Sabha MP, is emerging as the primary leader of this new faction. Her role in orchestrating the resistance has drawn significant attention, with TMC leadership accusing her of orchestrating a campaign against former colleagues. Banerjee alleged that Dastidar has been “targetting the TMC leaders with the help of the BJP,” suggesting a coordinated effort to dismantle the party’s structure from within.
The TMC’s response to Dastidar’s activities has been swift and severe. Banerjee highlighted her acquisition of protective measures, stating, “Kakoli Ghosh immediately took security from the State and Central government, and now she is, with the help of the BJP, targeting leaders from TMC of her area.” This accusation paints a picture of a strategic maneuver where the rebels are using state resources to shield themselves while simultaneously attacking their former party. The tension is not merely political but involves allegations of leveraging government machinery for intra-party warfare.
The crisis is further compounded by recent legal developments involving TMC leadership. Earlier on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Trinamool Congress leader Sabyasachi Dutta was arrested in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. Police confirmed the arrest was on charges of extortion and criminal intimidation. While the source material does not explicitly link Dutta’s arrest to the parliamentary rebellion, the timing suggests a broader crackdown or counter-strategy by state authorities amidst the political upheaval. This legal action adds another layer of complexity to the party’s challenges, potentially diverting resources and attention from the national political battle.
The current Trinamool Congress rebellion represents a significant challenge to the party’s organizational integrity. The clear alignment of 20 MPs with the BJP bloc signals a potential shift in the balance of power within the Lok Sabha. If this bloc proceeds with its plan to support the NDA government, it could weaken the TMC’s influence in national legislation and reduce their leverage in coalition politics. The emergence of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as a focal point for the rebels indicates a structured opposition within the party, which may persist beyond the immediate crisis.
Looking ahead, the long-term impact will depend on the TMC’s ability to retain its remaining MPs and recover from the defection. The party’s aggressive rhetoric, as seen in Banerjee’s statements, may galvanize its base but could also accelerate further defections if perceived as weak or reactive. Conversely, the rebels’ success in forming a stable bloc could embolden other disgruntled members to join the cause. The arrest of Sabyasachi Dutta may further polarize the situation, with the TMC framing it as political victimization to rally support. As the political landscape in Delhi and West Bengal evolves, the interaction between the NDA government and this new rebel bloc will be crucial in determining the future stability of the Trinamool Congress.
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