TMC Faces Internal Crisis as MLAs Hint at Faction Formation

NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday appeared headed for a major internal crisis as MLAs entering the state assembly did not dismiss the rumours that over 50 legislators had thrown their weight behind an MLA, who may lead the new faction of the Mamata Banerjee-founded party. On nomination of West Bengal Assembly LoP, TMC MLA Mustafizur Rahman told news agency ANI: "We don't know the exact figure... I am hearing from outside that 59 signatures have been recieved. I am hearing this. I have also signed". "I am going inside (Assembly), after the meeting I will tell," said TMC MLA Priya Paul. The crisis in the TMC came to the fore after a complaint was lodged at assembly secretariat by two TMC MLAs Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee. After the complaint, the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) summoned Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata's nephew and the party's No. 2, for questioning. It has already recorded statements of several MLAs as part of its probe into the forgery allegations. What began as a dispute over signatures has now exposed the deep divisions within the party at a time when it is still coming to terms with its worst electoral setback in over a decade. The signature row exploded into the open after Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari during a press conference claimed that two TMC legislators had filed complaints in connection with their "fake" signatures on a party resolution submitted in the state assembly endorsing Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of opposition. Amid growing speculation over unrest within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), former chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday addressed reports of a possible split in the party while speaking at a protest in Esplanade. Drawing a parallel between her critics and Mir Jafars, Banerjee alleged that efforts were being made to weaken the party and lure away its legislators. “Party legislators are not being allowed to leave home and cops are telling them to abandon TMC. They are being told to form a new Trinamool. Who will form it? Those who have been with the party since the beginning or those who have symbolically won? Bengal is witnessing bulldozer politics and everyone is being threatened.” The turnout at the dharna, however, raised eyebrows, with only eight of TMC's 78 MLAs and four of its 42 MPs participating in the protest. Adding fuel to the speculation, Tapas Roy, who was sworn in as a minister in Bengal's first BJP government on Monday and had remained with TMC until March 2024, referred to the "Maharashtra model" in a Facebook post and claimed that more than 50 TMC legislators could switch sides. “Trinamool has splintered. Its condition resembles what happened in Maharashtra. Ritabrata brought 50 MLAs to meet the speaker.” Speaking to reporters later, Roy said discontent within the ruling party was becoming increasingly visible. “There is a growing dissatisfaction among many netas and legislators. The developments indicate the party is heading towards a split, like what happened in Maharashtra.” Ritabrata Banerjee, who was expelled from TMC on Monday over the Signgate controversy, attended the Assembly on Tuesday but dismissed Roy's assertions. Rejecting reports that he had met party legislators at a south Kolkata hotel, he challenged those making the allegation to provide proof. “Those who are saying I held a meeting (with TMC MLAs) at a south Kolkata hotel will have to prove it,” he said, while declining to comment on speculation that around 50 legislators could join his camp. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also targeted Mamata Banerjee over the low turnout at the protest, claiming it reflected the party's weakening position. “Only three MPs and six MLAs turned up at Mamata Banerjee’s dharna. TMC is in a pathetic condition.” He further remarked that the party now “resembles Falta”, referring to the Assembly constituency where TMC finished fourth and lost to the BJP.