NEW DELHI: As the Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces its biggest crisis in West Bengal, there is growing speculation over the future of its contingent of MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the impact developments in Bengal will have on the heft of the second largest opposition party within the INDIA bloc, and its overall ramifications on the opposition's capacity to take on the government. The Mamata Banerjee-led party has been a most vociferous critic of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
National Implications of State-Level Split
How the split within TMC in West Bengal following its defeat in state polls plays out at the national level will be keenly watched in the coming days. Significantly, the INDIA bloc is scheduled to meet after a long gap on June 8. According to party sources, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee plan to attend the meeting for now and rally support from the opposition camp amid the latest developments.
First Split in 28-Year History
On a day TMC split for the first time in its 28-year history, Delhi circles were abuzz with talk of whether the former chief minister will be able to keep all her MPs together and not end up witnessing what has transpired in West Bengal. Most senior MPs that TOI reached out to either chose not to respond or were tight-lipped about the situation. A senior leader, however, emphasized that it was crucial at this stage for party MPs to stand united in Parliament and outside. The TMC has 28 MPs in Lok Sabha and 13 in Rajya Sabha.
Allegations of Operation Lotus
While refusing to make any comment on whether party members see the rebellion in the state as a reflection on TMC leadership, a senior leader chose to train his guns at the BJP for going after opposition parties through "Operation Lotus," a term used by its political opponents to describe the saffron party's alleged strategy to engineer defections. According to sources, given the fast-evolving situation, TMC chairperson, party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, and other senior leaders were huddled in a long meeting "to decide on the next course of action," with the need to keep the flock together in Parliament being a key concern.
Test Ahead for TMC in Parliament
A big test awaits Banerjee's MPs in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. Her MPs will need to re-strategize their outreach and projection in the face of the severe setback in Bengal. Banerjee's formidable record as a three-term chief minister and her strident voice had helped TMC position itself as a dominant regional player and a key member of the INDIA alliance. However, the TMC is likely to lose this clout given the latest developments.
Rise in Congress Leverage
What is also expected is a rise in leverage enjoyed by the Congress within the INDIA bloc, notwithstanding the reverses it suffered, excluding Kerala, in recent assembly polls. The changing dynamics within the alliance are expected to be evident at the meeting on Monday. More so, since the DMK, another leading opposition party, has fallen out with Congress, which chose to break ranks with it in Tamil Nadu following the party's defeat in assembly polls and joined the TVK government led by Vijay. Significantly, the DMK is yet to confirm its participation in the June 8 meeting.
