Bengal’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) is about to face a major setback, as 18 MPs are planning to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kakoli Ghosh’s resentment and distancing from the party have made this situation even more serious. Recently, 91 TMC councilors have also left the party. Amidst this political stir, it will be interesting to see how many MPs leave the TMC and what impact it has on the party.
Setback for TMC
Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Bengal is about to face a serious setback. According to political sources, 18 TMC MPs may soon join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This would be a major loss for Mamata Banerjee and her party. Recently, Mamata’s close associate and TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh resigned from the post of District President, making it clear that her loyalty to the party and Mamata is no longer what it used to be.
Kakoli’s Resentment
A few days ago, the party removed Kakoli from the post of Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha and handed it over to Kalyan Banerjee. Kakoli was angry with this decision. Subsequently, the central government increased her security, fueling speculation of her growing distance from the party. Kalyan Banerjee’s statement on Monday also indicated that Kakoli might join the BJP.
Distance of Councilors and MLAs
After the defeat in the Bengal elections, the condition of TMC is deteriorating. Recently, 91 TMC councilors have left the party. Additionally, more than half of the TMC MLAs did not attend the first protest held in the Legislative Council, which has increased the fear of a split in the party.
Discussions of MPs Leaving the Party
The discussion of TMC MPs joining the BJP has created political stir in West Bengal. According to sources, 12 MPs have made up their minds to change parties, while five to six MPs are in the process. Although, it is not clear when these MPs will leave the TMC, it is certain that the TMC will feel a major impact in the near future. It will be interesting to see if the number of people leaving the party can be enough to escape the anti-defection law. TMC has a total of 29 MPs in the Lok Sabha, and 20 MPs would be required to reach the two-thirds mark.
After the crushing defeat at the hands of the BJP in the Bengal assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a double crisis.
Mamata Banerjee’s party leaders are ‘running away’ from legal battles
Amidst this administrative crisis, a coup-like situation has arisen in the stronghold of TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, ‘Diamond Harbour’, which has shaken the organizational backbone of the Trinamool.
‘Commanders’ backing out of legal battles
Not officially accepting the results, Mamata Banerjee had alleged EVM tampering in at least 150 seats and looting at counting centers. Senior party lawyer and MP Kalyan Banerjee is preparing to file an ‘election petition’ for about 50 seats regarding these allegations.
However, the biggest dilemma for the TMC leadership is that many defeated candidates themselves are refusing to get involved in this legal tangle.
Strong leaders like former Transport Minister Snehasish Chakraborty, who lost from Jangipara, have withdrawn their hands from this court battle. Expressing anger, Kalyan Banerjee said that the leaders who enjoyed the perks of power for 15 years are now running away from the field by making excuses to leave politics.
Abhishek’s ‘Diamond Harbour Model’ collapsed
The wounds of the electoral defeat were still fresh when a suicidal attack occurred on Abhishek Banerjee’s ‘Diamond Harbour Model’ from within the party.
Out of the total 16 councilors of Diamond Harbour Municipality, eight TMC councilors have resigned collectively, alleging corruption, dictatorship, and police harassment. There is strong speculation of two other councilors also switching sides, which is considered certain to lead to the fall of the TMC-controlled municipal board.
The rebel councilors directly allege that in the name of the ‘Diamond Harbour Model’, only chaos, syndicate raj, and illegal constructions were promoted in the area.
Leaders were harassed by the police for protesting. Even Municipality Chairman Pranab Das, expressing helplessness over the situation, said in a mysterious tone when asked about staying in TMC, “Currently I am in Trinamool.”
This double blow clearly shows that the Trinamool Congress is not only in shock from losing power but its grip at the grassroots level is also loosening.
While on one hand the top leadership is making a final attempt to prove itself right through legal maneuvering, on the other hand, the disillusionment and rebellion of lower-level leaders indicate that the political ground of Trinamool in Bengal is cracking rapidly.
FIR against Mamata
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is once again embroiled in controversy after a crushing defeat in the assembly elections. An FIR has been registered against her at the Siliguri Cyber Police Station. It is alleged that she made derogatory remarks against Hindus during an Eid program. This matter has created a new controversy in Bengal politics.
According to information, this complaint has been filed by BJP worker and lawyer Rinki Chatterjee. The complaint states that Mamata Banerjee made such statements during the election atmosphere and the Eid program, which hurt religious sentiments. The complainant alleged that she had tried to file a complaint in this matter earlier as well, but no action was taken then.
What exactly is going on in TMC ?
According to reports, this controversy is linked to the statement in which Mamata Banerjee made some comments targeting BJP’s politics. BJP leaders termed these statements as anti-Hindu society and called it provocative politics. At the same time, Trinamool Congress leaders say that Mamata Banerjee’s statement is being presented in the wrong way. Amidst all this, Bengal politics has heated up even more. Recently, the Trinamool Congress has suffered a major setback in the West Bengal assembly elections and news of internal dissatisfaction within the party is also coming to the fore. After the BJP’s big win in the Falta seat, the opposition is constantly attacking the TMC.
