New Delhi: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is set to attend the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on Sunday, amid reports of the party’s worst internal rift in nearly three decades. The move is seen as an attempt to regain influence within the party and re-establish her presence in national politics.
The development comes after Trinamool suffered a heavy defeat in the recent West Bengal Assembly election, ending its 15-year rule. The BJP formed the government for the first time in the state, with Suvendu Adhikari becoming Chief Minister. Banerjee also lost from Bhabanipur to Adhikari, who was once considered her close aide.
Party sources say the loss of power and Banerjee’s personal defeat have triggered strong discontent among Trinamool MLAs, escalating into open factionalism. Dissident legislators are said to have formed a separate grouping against her leadership.
Reports further claim that among the party’s 80 MLAs, around 60 have tilted towards expelled leader Rithapratha Banerjee and raised a banner of revolt against the leadership. In the Lok Sabha, several of Trinamool’s 28 MPs are also said to be considering removing Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s relative, from the post of parliamentary party leader.
The INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi is expected to see participation from 23 political parties. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said some parties would be unable to attend due to personal reasons, but would continue to speak out against the Modi government’s policies and what he described as efforts to weaken the opposition.
