A faction of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs announced a merger with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) or alignment with the BJP-led NDA in March 2024.

This split threatens the stability of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's leadership and could shift the balance of power within India's Parliament. The move marks a significant internal crisis for the TMC as it faces a potential exodus of lawmakers to the opposition.

The rebel group, led by figures including Kakoli Ghosh and Ritabrata Banerjee, met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to formalize the transition. While some reports indicate the MPs are merging with the NPCI [1], other accounts state the rebels have joined the BJP and chosen Narendra Modi as their leader [3].

TMC leadership has denounced the move as a betrayal. Abhishek Banerjee, the party's national general secretary, said, "TMC is a single, indivisible political party" [1]. A spokesperson for Team Mamata said the rebels have joined the BJP and chosen Modi as their leader [3].

There are conflicting reports regarding the scale of the defection. One report states that 23 MPs are in touch with the rebel camp [2]. Another source indicates that 19 MPs have signaled their intention to split away to support the BJP [3].

Legal disputes have already surfaced regarding whether the merger is permissible under party rules. Kapil Sibal said the MPs are criticized for the merger [1]. Amid the turmoil, reports indicate Ritabrata Banerjee has been declared Leader of the Opposition [2].

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called an emergency meeting to address the crisis as the party attempts to maintain its cohesion in West Bengal and the Lok Sabha [2].

“"TMC is a single, indivisible political party."”

The defection of a significant bloc of MPs creates a precarious situation for the Trinamool Congress, potentially weakening its legislative influence. If the merger is upheld legally, it provides the BJP-led NDA with increased leverage in the Lok Sabha and undermines Mamata Banerjee's authority in West Bengal.