KOLKATA: In a significant blow to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as internal dissent escalates, Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy announced his resignation from the party on Monday. This development comes shortly after the TMC faced one of its most severe internal rebellions, with 58 of its 80 MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly defecting from the party's legislature wing and gaining recognition as the primary opposition bloc under expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee.
Rebellion Spreads to Parliament
Roy's departure has intensified concerns within the party that the rebellion, which has already destabilized the TMC's position in the Assembly, could now extend to the upper house of Parliament. Party sources indicate that the TMC leadership is striving to avert further defections by avoiding the expulsion of dissident MPs and instead preventing rebels from mustering the two-thirds majority required under anti-defection laws to split the parliamentary party. In the Lok Sabha, the TMC holds 28 seats, meaning at least 19 members would be needed to form a separate group without facing disqualification.
Leadership Efforts to Contain Crisis
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in Delhi on Sunday, while party national general secretary and Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee had reached a day earlier, as the leadership engaged in frantic efforts to stem the tide of defections. Reports suggest that rebel MPs are considering approaching Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to seek recognition as a distinct bloc and to remove Abhishek Banerjee as the party's parliamentary leader. The crisis has triggered intense political activity in the capital, with senior TMC leaders involved in backchannel talks aimed at damage control and preventing more MPs from crossing over.
Roy's Warning and Aftermath
Just days ago, Roy had publicly cautioned that the Assembly revolt could be replicated in Parliament, stating that a similar reaction was possible in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. His resignation is likely to fuel speculation that more leaders may follow suit. The rebellion, largely directed against Abhishek Banerjee's growing influence within the organization, has been informally termed "Operation Crown Prince" by dissident leaders. Despite the turmoil, senior TMC leaders have sought to project confidence. Party MP Sougata Roy accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to engineer defections and insisted that Mamata Banerjee would overcome the challenge.
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