Political temperatures have risen in West Bengal after a BJP MP claimed that around 20 MPs and nearly 50 MLAs from the All India Trinamool Congress are unhappy with the party and are allegedly in touch with the BJP. The remarks have triggered fresh speculation over possible political realignments in the state and intensified the war of words between the BJP and TMC leadership.
Anti-defection law implications
The controversy has also drawn attention because under the anti-defection law, at least two-thirds of MPs from a parliamentary party must move together to avoid disqualification. With the TMC having 29 Lok Sabha MPs, the number works out to around 19 or 20 members. While the ruling party has dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated, political observers say recent signs of dissatisfaction within sections of the party have added momentum to the speculation.
TMC dismisses claims
The TMC has strongly refuted the allegations, calling them a desperate attempt by the BJP to destabilize the state government. Party leaders have accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and trying to poach their lawmakers. However, the BJP has insisted that its claims are based on feedback from ground-level workers and that many TMC representatives are disillusioned with the party's leadership.
Political analysts note that if even a fraction of the claimed numbers were true, it could significantly alter the political landscape in West Bengal ahead of the next general elections. The state has been a stronghold of the TMC since 2011, but the BJP has made inroads in recent years, winning 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and 12 in 2024.
Meanwhile, the TMC has called for a meeting of its parliamentary party to discuss the situation and reaffirm unity. Senior leaders have been reaching out to MPs and MLAs to ensure they remain loyal. The BJP, on the other hand, is expected to ramp up its outreach to disgruntled TMC members in the coming weeks.
