Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is confronting growing political turbulence as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears increasingly fractured following its reported electoral setback and a wave of internal dissent across organisational and parliamentary ranks.
In a bid to consolidate control over the party structure, Banerjee recently carried out a major reshuffle in the TMC’s youth and women wings. The changes came amid rising allegations of discontent within the organisation and shifting loyalties among senior leaders.
The crisis escalated further after reports emerged of a section of TMC MPs planning to break away and form a separate bloc in Parliament. According to sources, the dissident lawmakers are expected to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, seeking recognition as the “real TMC”. Party loyalists, however, have strongly rejected the move, calling it unconstitutional and claiming that any breakaway faction must merge with another party rather than function as an independent group.
Tensions within the party have also deepened in West Bengal, where internal divisions reportedly surfaced among MLAs over leadership choices in the state assembly. The situation has triggered concerns within the party leadership about maintaining unity at both state and national levels.
Adding to the political strain, TMC and its leadership are also facing increased scrutiny from multiple investigative agencies, with several ongoing cases involving senior figures, including party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew.
Meanwhile, fresh controversies have further intensified the crisis. A legal notice has been issued by Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar, son of senior politician Kakoli Ghosh, demanding a public apology from several TMC leaders over alleged defamatory statements related to his political ambitions. He has warned of legal action if the remarks are not withdrawn.
In another development, TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh is reportedly aligned with a dissident camp, though she has remained non-committal on her political stance. Her cryptic remarks have fuelled speculation about further defections within the party.
Senior MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay has also come under scrutiny after being accused by fellow party leader Mahua Moitra of misleading the party regarding his whereabouts and meetings in Delhi. The allegations have further widened internal rifts, with claims of shifting loyalties among senior members.
Separately, a late-night search operation at the residence of Abhishek Banerjee by state police and central forces in connection with a fraud-related probe has added to the political tension. The incident prompted a swift reaction from Mamata Banerjee, who personally visited the residence during the operation.
As organisational changes, legal disputes, and allegations of internal betrayal continue to unfold, the TMC leadership is facing mounting pressure to restore unity and stabilise its political base ahead of future electoral challenges.
