Who Gets the TMC Crown? Rebel MPs Launch Bid for ‘Real TMC’ Recognition Before Speaker

The political crisis engulfing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears to be heading toward its most decisive phase yet, with a powerful group of dissident Lok Sabha MPs preparing to formally stake their claim as the "real TMC" before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday.

What began as internal discontent has rapidly evolved into a full blown power struggle that now threatens the unity of Bengal's ruling party. The rebel camp claims to have secured the support of 19 to 20 of the TMC's 28 Lok Sabha MPs , a number that, if accurate, would represent a significant challenge to the party's existing leadership structure.

Rebel MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia confirmed that the dissident faction has already submitted a representation to the Speaker and will press its case formally on June 15. The group is being led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar , who resigned from all party positions last month, signaling the growing seriousness of the revolt.

The dissident MPs have reportedly indicated that they are willing to extend support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Parliament while simultaneously seeking separate seating arrangements and official recognition as an independent parliamentary bloc.

Adding further political intrigue, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is expected to meet the rebel MPs in Delhi on June 14, just a day before their appearance before the Speaker. The developments have drawn comparisons with the dramatic Shiv Sena split in Maharashtra, which reshaped the state's political landscape.

The TMC leadership, however, has rejected the rebels' claims, arguing that the move lacks constitutional validity. Senior party leader Mahua Moitra contended that provisions allowing a parliamentary split were effectively removed through the 91st Constitutional Amendment , leaving merger with another political party as the only legally recognised option.

Meanwhile, the rebellion has already taken a toll on the party. This week alone, three Rajya Sabha members, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray , Sushmita Dev , and Prakash Chik Baraik , distanced themselves from the party leadership, while senior MP Kalyan Banerjee publicly demanded the removal of Abhishek Banerjee from all leadership responsibilities.

The crisis took an even more dramatic turn in the early hours of Saturday when police, assisted by central security personnel, conducted a nearly four hour search at Abhishek Banerjee's Kolkata residence. Investigators were reportedly searching for an aide wanted in a financial fraud case. The operation, which began around 3 a.m., sparked immediate allegations of political vendetta from the TMC after no significant findings were reported.

With a crucial meeting before the Speaker looming and tensions escalating both inside and outside the party, the coming days could prove decisive not only for the future of the TMC but also for the broader political landscape of West Bengal. Whether the rebellion culminates in a formal split or is contained through political negotiations may soon become clear as the high stakes battle enters its final and most dramatic chapter.