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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India /Elections & Politics

Amid mass exodus in Trinamool Congress, here's who is still in Team Mamata

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces a significant crisis marked by defections and internal rebellion, raising questions about its future.
  • A substantial number of TMC MPs have announced a split, forming a separate faction and reducing the party's parliamentary presence in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
  • Despite the upheaval, several key loyalists, including Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee, continue to support her leadership, while some arrested leaders retain local influence.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is navigating one of its most challenging periods, grappling with a wave of defections and internal dissent that has cast a shadow over its future. The party, once a dominant political force in West Bengal, is now contending with an open rebellion from a segment of its Members of Parliament and growing uncertainty surrounding the leadership of former chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

The crisis deepened in June when 19 TMC MPs declared their intention to break away and form a distinct faction. This move represented the most significant revolt within the party since its inception and intensified concerns about its trajectory following a recent electoral setback in West Bengal. These MPs submitted a formal request to the Lok Sabha Speaker for recognition of their breakaway group.

The party's parliamentary strength has diminished not only in the Lok Sabha but also in the Rajya Sabha. Following the departure of three MPs to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the TMC's representation in the Upper House has shrunk. These developments have fueled speculation about the party's organizational resilience and its political prospects, as it confronts both internal strife and a reduced presence in national politics.

Amidst this turmoil, a core group of loyalists remains steadfast in their support for Mamata Banerjee. This includes prominent figures such as her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen, and Mahua Moitra. Additionally, some leaders who are currently incarcerated on various charges, like Jahangir Khan, continue to wield considerable influence in their local constituencies, with supporters actively advocating for their release.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.