Abhishek Banerjee Reaches Delhi Amid Speculation of Fresh Rebellion Within TMC Parliamentary Ranks

New Delhi/Kolkata (Gurpreet Singh): Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, a day ahead of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s scheduled visit, as the party faces growing concerns over possible unrest within its parliamentary ranks following a major setback in the West Bengal Assembly.
Abhishek’s unexpected early arrival has sparked intense political speculation, particularly after reports emerged suggesting efforts are underway to engineer a split among TMC MPs similar to the recent rebellion that stripped the party leadership of control over its legislature wing in the state Assembly.
Originally, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were expected to travel together to the national capital on Sunday to attend the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting. However, sources within the party indicated that Mamata herself advised Abhishek to leave a day earlier.
While the official purpose of the visit remains unclear, the timing has fueled speculation that the TMC leadership is attempting to assess and contain potential political damage before crucial opposition meetings begin.
The concerns stem from dramatic developments in the West Bengal Assembly, where 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs reportedly broke away from the official legislature wing and secured recognition as a separate opposition bloc under expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee. The rebellion, widely viewed as a challenge to Abhishek Banerjee’s growing influence within the organisation, has been informally labelled “Operation Crown Prince” by dissident leaders.
Political observers now believe similar efforts could be underway within Parliament.
Rebel TMC MLA and deputy leader of the newly formed legislative bloc, Sandipan Saha, claimed that dissatisfaction among MPs mirrors the sentiments that led to the Assembly revolt.
According to parliamentary rules, at least two-thirds of a party’s MPs would be required to form a separate group without attracting anti-defection penalties. The TMC currently has 28 Lok Sabha members and 13 Rajya Sabha MPs.
Sources familiar with internal developments said extensive communication with MPs intensified over the past two days, leading to speculation that rival factions are actively seeking support within both Houses of Parliament.
Senior party leaders acknowledged that the Assembly rebellion has created anxiety within the organisation, though supporters of Mamata Banerjee insist reports of an imminent parliamentary split are exaggerated.
Veteran Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy recently warned that the possibility of a similar development in Parliament could not be ruled out, noting that the scale of the Assembly rebellion was unprecedented in the party’s history.
However, senior TMC leader Sougata Roy dismissed suggestions that the party was on the verge of disintegration. He accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the Trinamool Congress and expressed confidence that Mamata Banerjee would overcome the challenge.
The political significance of Abhishek’s Delhi visit has been amplified by another development. He has been summoned by the CID on Monday in connection with an alleged signature-forgery controversy involving TMC legislators. His request for additional time on health grounds was reportedly rejected by investigators.
Whether the early Delhi trip is aimed at managing internal dissent, preparing for the INDIA bloc meeting, addressing legal challenges, or a combination of all three remains uncertain.
For the TMC leadership, however, the stakes are high. After suffering a major organisational setback in the West Bengal Assembly, the party now faces the challenge of maintaining unity within its parliamentary ranks and preventing the crisis from expanding beyond the state.