New Delhi: With the Trinamool Congress (TMC) grappling with intense internal discord in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent visit to Delhi has triggered fresh political speculation, including talk of a possible merger with the Indian National Congress.
The buzz comes in the aftermath of the Assembly election in which the TMC lost power after 15 years amid a strong BJP wave. Reports said resentment within the party—particularly over Mamata’s relative Abhishek Banerjee—along with public anger, reflected sharply in the defeat.
Following the loss, the party’s infighting escalated. More than 100 TMC councillors reportedly resigned, and a group of 60 MLAs backed dissident MLA Ritabhrata Banerjee to become the Leader of the Opposition, against Mamata’s preference.
The turmoil has also spilled into Parliament. Former TMC chief whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is said to have rallied 20 of the party’s 28 MPs and announced support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, further weakening Mamata’s hold.
Against this backdrop, Mamata attended an ‘INDI’ alliance consultation in Delhi—something she is usually seen skipping—and stayed on in the capital. Sources cited in the report said she met former Congress president Sonia Gandhi for a lengthy one-on-one discussion, while Abhishek Banerjee reportedly held talks with Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi. However, Ritabhrata Banerjee dismissed merger prospects, claiming 64 of 80 MLAs are with his camp and insisting neither their MLAs nor the 20 MPs would agree to join Congress.
