20 TMC MPs seek switch to NDA, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar named faction leader

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was plunged deeper into crisis on Monday after at least 20 dissident Lok Sabha MPs reportedly submitted a letter to Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

According to sources, senior TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has been chosen to lead the breakaway faction, signalling what could become the biggest split in the party's parliamentary wing.

The dramatic development unfolded just hours after Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Ray resigned from the party and coincided with TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee's visit to New Delhi for the INDIA bloc meeting.

Sources said around 20 rebel MPs, along with Ray, gathered at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in the national capital. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was also reportedly present during the meeting.

Among those said to have attended the gathering were MPs Prasun Banerjee (Howrah), Sharmila Sarkar (Bardhaman Purba), Jagadish Chandra Basunia (Cooch Behar), Arup Chakraborty (Bankura), Kalipada Soren (Jhargram) and Asit Mal (Bolpur). Sources further indicated that Mathurapur MP Bapi Haldar later joined the meeting.

The latest developments come against the backdrop of mounting turmoil within the Trinamool Congress following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, which brought the BJP to power in the state under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Neither the Trinamool Congress leadership nor the Speaker's Office had officially commented on the reported letter at the time of publication. Further details are awaited.