19 MPs sign letter, missing 20th name deepens TMC split mystery

A group of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs has formally sought recognition as a separate parliamentary faction, with two lawmakers confirming they signed a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker asserting that they represent the “real” TMC and laying claim to the party’s symbol.

The move has intensified speculation of an impending split within the party, with sources claiming the letter, dated May 18, carries the signatures of 19 MPs—enough to meet the two-thirds threshold required under anti-defection provisions. The Speaker’s office has not yet confirmed receiving the communication.

Rebel leaders Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia confirmed the existence of the letter but declined to reveal how many MPs had backed it. According to sources, the Speaker will examine the request and verify the signatures before deciding whether the group can be recognised as the original TMC parliamentary party.

The rebellion follows the TMC’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly election and growing discontent among a section of leaders who have blamed the party’s leadership, particularly MP Abhishek Banerjee, for the setback.

While the rebel faction has indicated support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), it has not formally sought a merger with the BJP. Such a merger would shield the group from disqualification if at least two-thirds of the party’s MPs support it.

The BJP has largely remained on the sidelines publicly, though party leaders acknowledge that several rebel MPs have been in touch with senior BJP figures. If the rebels secure recognition and align with the NDA, their support could significantly strengthen the ruling coalition’s numbers in Parliament.