The troubles for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appear to be far from over. A day after an attack on party leader Abhishek Banerjee, only 20 out of 80 MLAs turned up for a crucial meeting at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence, sparking speculation about internal dissent.
Low Attendance Raises Eyebrows
The meeting, which was called to discuss the party's strategy following the attack, saw a conspicuous absence of 60 MLAs. This has led to questions about the unity within the party ranks. However, the TMC leadership was quick to downplay the low turnout, attributing it to prior commitments of the MLAs.
Party's Explanation
A senior party leader stated that many MLAs were busy organizing protests against the authorities, which is why they could not attend the meeting. The party insisted that there was no cause for concern and that all MLAs remain loyal to the party's leadership.
The attack on Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent TMC leader and nephew of Mamata Banerjee, occurred on May 31, 2026, in Kolkata. The incident has heightened political tensions in the state, with the TMC accusing the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the attack. The BJP has denied any involvement.
Despite the party's reassurances, political analysts believe that the low attendance could be a sign of growing discontent within the TMC, especially after the party's recent electoral setbacks. The situation is being closely watched as West Bengal gears up for upcoming local body elections.
