TMC split looms: Rebel MPs to meet Speaker Om Birla on June 15, claim 'real TMC' tag
Synopsis
A rebellion that began as whispers inside the TMC's Lok Sabha unit is now a formal split bid — 19 MPs are set to walk into the Speaker's chamber on June 15 and demand recognition as the 'real Trinamool Congress.' With West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari reportedly present at their strategy meet, the NDA's fingerprints on this fracture are hard to miss.
Key Takeaways
A rebel faction of 19 TMC MPs is set to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 15 June (Monday) to seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group.
TMC MP Jagadish Barma Basunia of Cooch Behar confirmed the meeting and said the rebel letter lists reasons for breaking away from the Mamata Banerjee -led party.
TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had earlier claimed 20 of 28 TMC Lok Sabha MPs back the split and want to align with the NDA .
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is reportedly set to attend the rebels' Sunday strategy meeting in New Delhi .
Anti-defection proceedings under the Tenth Schedule are widely expected if the Speaker grants formal recognition to the breakaway group.
A formal split in the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) parliamentary unit is now imminent, as a rebel faction of 19 MPs is set to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 15 June (Monday) to demand recognition as a separate parliamentary group — and to stake a claim as the 'real TMC'. The development marks a sharp escalation in an internal rebellion that has shaken the Mamata Banerjee-led party's Lok Sabha presence.
What the Rebel Faction Is Demanding
TMC MP Jagadish Barma Basunia, who represents Cooch Behar constituency, confirmed the Monday meeting and said the rebels will submit a letter bearing the signatures of 19 TMC MPs to the Speaker. The letter, he said, outlines the reasons for their separation and formally requests the formation of an independent parliamentary group.
'The letter contains signatures of 19 TMC MPs, who want a Parliamentary group of their own and have also listed reasons for separation from Mamata-led TMC. Our demand is that we are the real Trinamool Congress and should be given recognition,' Basunia said.
He added that all dissident lawmakers hold a unified position on the break and asserted they would not reverse course.
How the Rebellion Unfolded
The mutiny had earlier been flagged by TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who claimed that as many as 20 of the 28 TMC MPs in the Lok Sabha were willing to form a separate bloc and align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The rebel camp's stated intention to support the NDA signals a potential realignment with significant implications for parliamentary arithmetic.
This comes amid a broader churning within the TMC, which holds 28 seats in the Lok Sabha. A recognised breakaway group of this size would substantially weaken the party's standing as an opposition force and could complicate its position in West Bengal, where assembly elections are due.
Sunday Strategy Meet Before the Final Move
Ahead of the Monday meeting with the Speaker, the rebel MPs are scheduled to hold a closed-door strategy session in New Delhi on Sunday. According to sources, the meeting will be attended by all dissident lawmakers and will also see the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari — a detail that underscores the BJP-led NDA's active interest in the unfolding split.
What Happens Next
The Speaker's decision on whether to grant recognition to the breakaway group will be pivotal. Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, anti-defection provisions could be invoked by the original TMC leadership, potentially disqualifying rebel MPs. Legal and procedural battles are widely expected to follow any formal recognition bid. The TMC leadership in Kolkata has not yet issued a formal response to the rebels' latest move.
Point of View
And the Speaker's ruling will set a precedent with consequences well beyond the TMC. Mamata Banerjee's silence from Kolkata, so far, is itself a strategic choice — but the window to contain this is closing fast.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are TMC MPs meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on June 15?
A rebel faction of 19 TMC MPs is meeting Speaker Om Birla on 15 June to formally seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group, claiming they represent the 'real Trinamool Congress.' They intend to submit a signed letter outlining their reasons for breaking away from the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
How many TMC MPs are backing the rebellion?
The rebel faction claims to have the signatures of 19 TMC MPs, while TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar had earlier stated that 20 of the party's 28 Lok Sabha members support forming a separate bloc. The exact number with firm commitments remains subject to the Speaker's verification.
Will the rebel TMC MPs face disqualification under anti-defection law?
Potentially, yes. If the Speaker grants recognition to the breakaway group, the original TMC leadership is widely expected to invoke the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which governs anti-defection. The legal and procedural outcome will depend on whether the split meets the threshold required to avoid disqualification.
What is Suvendu Adhikari's role in the TMC split?
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is reportedly set to attend the rebel MPs' strategy meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, according to sources. His presence signals the NDA's active interest in the unfolding split, though no official statement has been issued by him or the BJP on the matter.
What happens if the Lok Sabha Speaker recognises the rebel TMC group?
Recognition would allow the breakaway faction to function as a separate parliamentary group, with entitlements to speaking time, committee positions, and official status. It would significantly weaken the TMC's position in the Lok Sabha and could trigger a broader political and legal battle with the party's original leadership.
