Mamata Accuses BJP of Trying to Split TMC; Few Leaders Join Protest

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a split within her party, alleging that the BJP is pressuring all 80 TMC legislators. Banerjee made these accusations during her first public demonstration since the assembly election defeat, which saw only a handful of sitting MPs and MLAs in attendance, signaling growing dissent within the party.

Speaking at a two-hour protest in Esplanade against alleged post-poll violence and the eviction of hawkers, Banerjee claimed the BJP is using police and central agencies to entice TMC legislators to defect. She drew parallels to the split in Maharashtra's ruling party, stating, "Police are telling TMC MLAs to form a new party. Police are going to the homes of MLAs facing corruption charges and threatening them with federal agency investigations. Is this democracy?"

Amid reports that expelled MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha are attempting to engineer a split, only nine sitting MPs and MLAs participated in the demonstration. Several former ministers and prominent leaders who were once close to Banerjee were notably absent. Ritabrata Banerjee stated he met with Madhyamgram MLA Rathin Ghosh to inquire about his health, while other MLAs' activities remain unclear.

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You (the BJP) had split the ruling party in Maharashtra. You are doing the same here. Police are telling TMC MLAs to form a new party. Police are going to the homes of MLAs facing corruption charges and threatening them with federal agency investigations. Is this democracy?

A senior TMC leader, speaking anonymously, claimed that over 50 legislators have expressed support for a breakaway faction. This number, if realized, could be enough to escape anti-defection laws, which require a two-thirds majority to split a party. The leader suggested that Mamata Banerjee might lose the party symbol if such a split occurs. Evidence of declining attendance at party meetings was cited, with numbers dropping significantly from early May to late May.

In an effort to quell the crisis, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh appealed to party legislators to remain loyal. He pleaded, "I appeal to our MLAs with folded hands not to follow Ritabrata Banerjee. Don't forget that you won on the TMC symbol. You must stay with the party at this hour." Ghosh later fell ill during the demonstration due to heat and exhaustion. The two expelled MLAs were reportedly involved in a complaint that led to a CID probe into the forgery of signatures on a resolution letter.

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I appeal to our MLAs with folded hands not to follow Ritabrata Banerjee. Don’t forget that you won on the TMC symbol. You must stay with the party at this hour.