The internal crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears far from over, with a low turnout at a key meeting convened by party chief Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata.
The development comes amid growing speculation about divisions within the party following recent signs of rebellion from a section of legislators and leaders.
Low Attendance Raises Questions
Only eight MLAs attended the meeting held at Mamata Banerjee’s residence, days after reports suggested that around 60 out of the party’s 80 MLAs skipped another important gathering.
The sparse attendance has intensified political chatter about whether dissatisfaction within the party is spreading and whether the ongoing rebellion is gaining momentum.
Among those present were senior leaders including Firhad Hakim, Madan Mitra, Kunal Ghosh and several other party legislators.
Most MPs Also Stayed Away
The absence of many Members of Parliament added to the perception of unrest.
Out of the party’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs, only four reportedly attended the meeting. In the Rajya Sabha, just two MPs were present, while the majority remained absent.
Among those who attended was Abhishek Banerjee, widely regarded as one of the party’s most influential leaders after Mamata Banerjee.
Senior parliamentarians Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen were also present.
TMC Rejects Speculation
The Trinamool Congress has dismissed suggestions that the low turnout reflects a widening rebellion.
Party leaders clarified that the gathering was a National Working Committee meeting rather than a full-scale meeting of all MPs and MLAs. According to the party, several members who are part of the committee participated virtually.
The leadership argued that attendance should not be interpreted as a measure of support within the organisation.
Rebel Camp Claims Momentum
The rebel faction, however, sees the situation differently.
Ritabrata Banerjee, who recently emerged as a prominent face of the dissident camp after becoming Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, claimed that support for the rebels is continuing to increase.
According to him, more legislators are expected to align with the group in the coming days, suggesting that the challenge to Mamata Banerjee’s leadership may not fade anytime soon.
Is The Rebellion Growing?
At this stage, it remains difficult to determine the true extent of dissatisfaction within the party.
While the rebel camp is portraying the low attendance as evidence of growing support, the official TMC leadership insists the numbers are being misinterpreted and that the party remains united.
Political observers note that attendance at future meetings, statements from senior leaders, and the actions of undecided legislators will provide a clearer picture of whether the current unrest develops into a larger organisational challenge.
What Lies Ahead?
The coming weeks could be crucial for the Trinamool Congress.
With the rebel group becoming increasingly vocal and the leadership attempting to project unity, the party faces the task of containing internal divisions while maintaining its political strength in West Bengal.
For now, the low turnout has added fresh fuel to the debate over whether the party is facing a temporary disagreement or a more significant internal revolt.