Rebel Trinamool MPs to grow in number, says suspended TMC leader Riju Dutta
Synopsis
A suspended TMC leader claims the rebel Trinamool bloc of 19 MPs — who want a separate identity in the Lok Sabha — will only grow larger. With a Sunday MP meeting and a Monday appointment with the Speaker already lined up, West Bengal's ruling party faces a credible floor-level fracture, even as the CID tightens its grip on General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
Key Takeaways
Suspended TMC leader Riju Dutta claimed on 12 June that the number of rebel Trinamool MPs will increase beyond the current 19 .
Rebel MP Jagadish Barma Basunia confirmed the authenticity of a letter signed by 19 TMC MPs seeking recognition as a new parliamentary bloc.
The rebel group is scheduled to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to formally request separate recognition.
The dissenting MPs will not join the BJP but are willing to support the NDA , which Dutta called a 'win-win' for the ruling alliance.
TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee was reportedly interrogated by the CID for six hours , with further summons expected.
Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Riju Dutta on Friday, 12 June claimed that the number of rebel party MPs seeking recognition as a separate bloc in the Lok Sabha will rise in the days ahead. Dutta added that the dissenting MPs are scheduled to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to formally press their case.
The Rebel Bloc and the Signature Letter
Earlier on Friday, rebel Trinamool Congress MP Jagadish Barma Basunia confirmed the authenticity of a letter bearing the signatures of 19 party MPs — including himself — who reportedly claim to represent the principal and majority faction of the party in the Lower House. The group intends to approach the Speaker to seek formal recognition as a 'new bloc' within Parliament.
'The photos of 19 people's signatures have come out. The numbers are going to increase in the coming days,' Dutta said. He added that a meeting of rebel MPs is reportedly scheduled for Sunday, at which West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari may also be present, before the Monday meeting with the Speaker.
NDA Support Without Joining BJP
Dutta was emphatic that the dissenting MPs have no intention of formally joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but are willing to extend support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He described this as a 'win-win situation' for the BJP — the party gains floor numbers without absorbing the rebel legislators.
'They are not taking in the rebel MPs but are still getting their support for the required numbers in the House,' he said. He added: 'Whatever is happening is for the country's benefit. What's wrong with that?'
CID Summons to Abhishek Banerjee
Asked about the CID summons issued to TMC MP and party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Dutta claimed the questioning could become a daily affair. 'Now the CID will call him every day. Yesterday, he was interrogated for six hours. After this, he may be called again on Sunday,' he said. He quipped that 'the prince' — an apparent reference to Banerjee — 'may soon go to jail', though no formal charges or arrest have been reported.
Dutta on West Bengal's Governance
Dutta also praised the pace of work under Chief Minister Adhikari, saying he is working at a 'breakneck speed.' He cited reports of the Tata group reportedly returning to West Bengal, cleaning of railway stations, and development work at the Ganga ghats as evidence of progress. 'When good work is happening, let it happen,' he said.
The rebel MPs' Monday meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker is expected to be a decisive moment in determining whether the dissenting group gains any formal standing in the House.
Point of View
And the NDA has every incentive to let that fracture deepen without formally absorbing the rebels. Meanwhile, the CID's escalating pressure on Abhishek Banerjee — the party's most prominent second-tier leader — runs in parallel, and the timing is unlikely to be coincidental. If Banerjee faces arrest while the rebel bloc is formalised, the TMC's ability to mount a coherent response to both crises simultaneously will be severely tested.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Riju Dutta and why is he suspended from TMC?
Riju Dutta is a suspended leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) who has been publicly backing the rebel faction within the party. The specific grounds for his suspension have not been detailed in available reports.
What are the rebel Trinamool MPs demanding?
The rebel group, which includes at least 19 MPs whose signatures appear on a letter confirmed by MP Jagadish Barma Basunia, is seeking recognition as a separate or 'new bloc' in the Lok Sabha. They plan to meet Speaker Om Birla on Monday to formally convey this request.
Will the rebel TMC MPs join the BJP?
No. According to Riju Dutta, the dissenting MPs have no plans to formally join the BJP. However, they are willing to extend support to the NDA, which Dutta described as a 'win-win' for the ruling alliance as it gains floor numbers without a formal merger.
What is the status of the CID summons to Abhishek Banerjee?
TMC MP and General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee was reportedly interrogated by the CID for six hours, according to Riju Dutta. Dutta claimed further summons are expected, potentially on a daily basis, though no formal charges or arrest have been reported.
What happens next in the rebel TMC MPs' push for a new bloc?
A meeting of rebel MPs is reportedly scheduled for Sunday, with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari possibly in attendance. On Monday, the group plans to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to seek formal recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc.
