TMC turmoil: Who are the 19 MPs in the rebel camp? Full list inside
The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears to be deepening by the day, with a rebel faction claiming that 19 Lok Sabha MPs have extended support to its breakaway initiative.
The number is politically significant because it crosses the two-thirds threshold of TMC's 28-member Lok Sabha contingent, potentially giving the dissidents protection under anti-defection provisions and strengthening their claim for recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc.
The rebellion, spearheaded by senior MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, has already triggered a fierce political battle within the party.
The rebel camp has reportedly communicated with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate group, while maintaining that it intends to support the NDA without formally merging with the BJP.
However, confusion continues over the exact strength of the rebel camp. While rebel leaders claim to have the backing of 19-20 MPs, some parliamentarians whose names surfaced in media reports have denied signing any letter, indicating that the situation remains fluid.
MPs reportedly in the rebel camp
According to sources, the following MPs have been linked to the rebel bloc:
- Kakoli Ghosh (Barasat)
- Jagadish Chandra Basunia (Cooch Behar)
- Khalilur Rahaman (Jangipur)
- Yusuf Pathan (Berhampore)
- Abu Taher Khan (Murshidabad)
- Partha Bhowmick (Barrackpore)
- Bapi Haldar (Mathurapur)
- Saayoni Ghosh (Jadavpur)
- Mala Roy (Kolkata South)
- Mitali Bag (Arambagh)
- Deepak Adhikari (Ghatal)
- Kalipada Soren (Jhargram)
- June Malia (Medinipur)
- Arup Chakraborty (Bankura)
- Dr Sharmila Sarkar (Bardhaman East)
- Shatrughan Sinha (Asansol)
- Asit Kumar Mal (Bolpur)
- Satabdi Roy (Birbhum)
- Rachana Banerjee (Hooghly)
(Source: TMC rebel camp sources)
Even as the rebel camp projects confidence, several MPs have offered differing versions regarding the proposed split.
Reports suggest that some leaders are uncomfortable with pursuing a ‘Maharashtra model’ split, while others have publicly denied being part of any rebellion.
This has led to conflicting claims over the actual strength and future direction of the faction.
For Mamata Banerjee, the crisis represents the most serious organisational challenge in the party's 28-year history.
If the rebel camp succeeds in retaining the support of at least 19 MPs, it could dramatically alter the political landscape in West Bengal and reshape the balance of power within Parliament.