Amid mounting turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a steady stream of high-profile exits, a meeting between Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee set political circles abuzz with speculation of a possible realignment.

The Congress, however, has moved swiftly to pour cold water on the rumours.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh categorically dismissed reports suggesting that the meeting involved discussions on a merger between the two parties, calling such claims ‘completely inaccurate’.

According to Ramesh, the interaction was cordial and centred largely on personal matters, reflecting the long-standing relationship between the two veteran leaders.

The clarification comes at a politically sensitive moment for the TMC, which has been battling an internal rebellion since its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The party has already witnessed a string of resignations by MPs, while dissident voices continue to grow louder.

Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, expelled TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee rejected suggestions that rebel legislators or parliamentarians were preparing to switch camps.

Claiming that support for the dissident faction had risen to 64 MLAs, he said the group would soon approach the Assembly Speaker to formalise its position.

Banerjee also sought to end merger chatter, asserting that neither the rebel camp nor TMC MPs were planning to join hands with the Congress.

‘We are not merging with Congress,’ he maintained, insisting that the ongoing developments remain an internal battle within the TMC.

The Sonia-Mamata meeting took place a day after the INDIA bloc gathering in Delhi, ensuring that every handshake and conversation was scrutinised for political signals.

However, for now, Congress leaders insist there is no grand merger script behind the closed-door talks, despite the rumours swirling through the opposition camp.