Major Rebellion in India's Trinamool Congress as 20 MPs Defect to Support BJP-led NDA
A significant political rebellion has erupted within India's Trinamool Congress (TMC), with 20 of its 29 Lok Sabha MPs meeting at Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav's residence in Delhi to form a separate parliamentary bloc supporting the BJP-led NDA government. Led by former chief whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the move follows a similar revolt by 60 TMC MLAs in West Bengal. TMC loyalists accused the rebels of siding with the BJP, deepening the party's internal crisis and weakening the opposition INDIA bloc.
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Ritabrata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction to meet Election Commission over party name and symbol dispute
The Election Commission of India will meet a rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee on July 2, 2026. The faction, comprising 10 MLAs, is challenging the leadership of party founder Mamata Banerjee and staking claim to the party's name and election symbol. The dispute escalated in June when 58 Trinamool MLAs nominated Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition, and the rebel group removed Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson. The Commission will decide based on support in both the organisational and legislative wings. Meanwhile, separate seating arrangements have been made in the West Bengal Assembly, and three party bank accounts containing ₹440 crore have been frozen. The Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha also split, with 20 of its 28 MPs merging with another party.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Mamata loyalist files police complaint against rebels for misusing Trinamool Congress name and symbol
Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen, a loyalist of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, filed a police complaint at Kalighat and Newtown police stations against rebel faction leaders led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee. The complaint alleges that rebel leaders Javed Khan and Sandipan Saha called a meeting of party councillors claiming to be general secretaries, thereby misusing the party's name and symbol, creating confusion among workers, and damaging the party's reputation. This follows a June 22 special session organized by rebels at a Newtown hotel where they set up a national working committee and removed Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee from their posts. Both loyalist and rebel factions have written to the Election Commission about organizational changes. The party faces significant internal dissent after its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, with about 65 out of 80 MLAs supporting the rebel camp and 20 Lok Sabha MPs planning to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Trinamool division: What are the options before the Election Commission?
The article reports a major split in India's Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, founded by Mamata Banerjee in 1998. On June 22, 2026, a rebel faction removed Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson and appointed their own national working committee, led by Arun Roy. The faction, supported by 58 MLAs, then moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) to claim the party name and symbol. The loyalist Mamata Banerjee faction argues based on the Subhash Desai v. Principal Secretary (2023) Supreme Court judgment that a majority of MLAs cannot claim to be the original party, as votes were won under the party's banner. The loyalists have submitted their own list of office-bearers to the ECI, including appointments of Dola Sena and Derek O'Brien as joint secretaries. The ECI now faces the task of adjudicating the dispute over party name, symbol, and organizational control.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Trinamool Congress bank accounts frozen after rebel MLAs and former treasurer write to police
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a major financial crisis after three of its bank accounts, holding approximately ₹440 crore, were frozen by a Kolkata bank. The freeze followed letters from former party treasurer Aroop Biswas and 10 rebel MLAs aligned with opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee. Biswas requested the bank to halt all transactions to safeguard party funds amid a split. The rebel MLAs separately filed a police complaint alleging that funds from illegal activities may have been deposited into the accounts. The TMC has been grappling with a major split: 20 of its 28 Lok Sabha MPs have merged with the NCPI to support the BJP-led NDA, while Ritabrata Banerjee claims the support of 65 of 80 state MLAs. Loyalists, including MLA Kunal Ghosh, assert that Biswas no longer holds the treasurer position, which was reassigned on June 5. Rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar also announced legal action against TMC MP Mahua Moitra for accusing rebel MPs of taking pecuniary gains.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs merge with Nationalist Citizen Party of India
Twenty rebel Lok Sabha MPs from India's Trinamool Congress (TMC) have formally merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a small registered regional party, to avoid anti-defection law complications. The MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi to submit their merger letter and request separate seating. The move follows the TMC's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. The rebel faction, claiming over two-thirds of TMC's Lok Sabha MPs, plans to seek official recognition as the 'real TMC' when Parliament reconvenes in July, leaving the matter for courts to decide. Loyalist TMC MPs also met the Speaker, submitting a letter urging him to recognize only the party's authorized leadership. The merger has surprised political circles, with the TMC calling it 'ridiculous' and the BJP citing ideological vacuum.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Abhishek Banerjee Urges Speaker to Disqualify Rebel TMC MPs
Abhishek Banerjee, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in India, has formally urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to disqualify rebel MPs from the party. The call comes amid internal party dissent, with Banerjee arguing that these MPs have violated party discipline and should lose their parliamentary seats. The move signals an escalation in internal TMC conflicts ahead of upcoming political developments. The article, published by The Hindu on June 19, 2026, also mentions other brief news items including Shashi Tharoor's defense of US relations with both India and Pakistan, and an incident where eggs were thrown at TMC leader Bhola Singh in an Asansol court.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.TMC's Abhishek Banerjee submits 20 petitions seeking disqualification of rebel MPs
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee met with Speaker Om Birla on June 19, 2026, and submitted 20 disqualification petitions against 20 rebel TMC MPs. The rebel MPs have claimed to have joined a little-known party called the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). Banerjee argued that under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law), voluntarily giving up party membership warrants disqualification. He stated that the rule on two-thirds merger applies to the whole party, not just the legislative party. The move follows the Speaker's invitation for TMC to present its views before deciding on the rebels' demand to be recognized as a separate group. Banerjee had previously written to the Speaker urging no recognition of any separate faction within TMC.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Trinamool Congress's Abhishek Banerjee to meet Lok Sabha Speaker over party split
Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), is scheduled to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on June 19, 2026, to address a split in the party. The crisis follows 20 TMC Lok Sabha MPs declaring a 'merger' with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). In a June 10 letter submitted to the Speaker's office on June 14, Banerjee urged the Speaker not to recognize or grant separate status to any rebel TMC faction, arguing that the TMC is a 'single, indivisible political party' and that its legislative wing cannot be separated from the parent organization. The Speaker initially invited Banerjee for a meeting on a day he was being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, leading to a rescheduled meeting on Friday.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.20 Rebel Trinamool Congress MPs Merge with NCPI, Party Claims Largest Parliamentary Force from West Bengal
On June 14, 2026, 20 rebel Lok Sabha MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) announced their merger with the little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The MPs met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Delhi and submitted a letter formalizing the merger. The NCPI, a Howrah-based party registered in 2023, claimed on social media that it has become the largest parliamentary force from West Bengal, with 20 MPs compared to BJP's 12, TMC's 8, and Congress's 1. The party is administered by a couple, Uttiyo and Shewly Kundu, who are reportedly in Delhi with phones switched off. The merger is seen as a strategic move to avoid anti-defection law complications, which require two-thirds of legislators to merge into another party to avoid disqualification. TMC called the move 'ridiculous,' while BJP claimed it reflects the party's ideological vacuum. Police and central forces were deployed outside the NCPI office in rural Howrah.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.NCPI: Howrah-based political outfit may house 20 rebel TMC MPs
In a major political development, 20 rebel MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a little-known regional party based in Howrah, West Bengal. The NCPI was founded in 2015 by Shewly Kundu and registered with the Election Commission in 2023. The rebels, calling themselves the 'real TMC', aim to bypass anti-defection laws by merging as a bloc. The move follows TMC's electoral struggles and has drawn reactions from both the TMC, which called it 'ridiculous', and the BJP, which cited ideological vacuum. Prominent rebels like Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar have expressed intent to work with the NDA. The party's president, Shiuli Kundu, is a Calcutta High Court advocate.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Constitutional expert questions rebel TMC MPs' plan to seek 'real TMC' status from Lok Sabha Speaker
Constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha secretary general P.D.T. Achary has questioned the plan of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs to seek recognition as the 'real TMC' parliamentary group from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Achary stated that the Speaker has no role in this matter under current circumstances, as the authority to decide which faction is the real party lies with the Election Commission of India (ECI), citing the Subhash Desai case. He explained that the rebel group must approach the ECI, demonstrating they have the largest number of MPs/MLAs and control over the party's organizational wing. The rebels, claiming support of 19 Lok Sabha members, announced they would meet the Speaker on June 15, 2026. The TMC has been facing a major rebellion following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, with key figures like Sudip Bandyopadhyay joining the dissident camp. Achary noted that under the anti-defection law, the rebels cannot currently be treated as a separate group or allocated different seats in Parliament.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.TMC and BJP Trade Barbs Over Rebel MPs' Merger with NCPI
The political conflict between India's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) escalated after dissident TMC MPs announced their merger with the little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and pledged support to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The TMC dismissed the move as 'ridiculous,' with senior MP Saugata Roy questioning the political relevance of the NCPI and accusing the rebels of betraying the party on whose symbol they were elected. The dissident camp claimed that 20 of the party's 28 Lok Sabha MPs backed the merger and have sought a separate seating arrangement in Parliament from Speaker Om Birla. The TMC faction challenged this under anti-defection laws. The BJP, through state spokesperson Sayantan Basu, described the exodus as evidence of a deepening crisis and ideological vacuum within the TMC, urging the party leadership to introspect rather than blame others.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Rebel Trinamool Congress MPs Announce Merger with Nationalist Citizen Party
A group of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, has formally approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to request separate seating arrangements in Parliament. The MPs have announced their intention to merge with the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), signaling a significant political realignment. This move could reshape parliamentary dynamics, potentially impacting the ruling National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) efforts to secure a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha. The development follows internal dissent within the TMC and highlights ongoing factionalism in Indian politics. The merger is expected to alter the balance of power in the lower house and may have implications for upcoming legislative sessions.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Rebel Trinamool Congress MPs Announce Merger with Nationalist Citizen Party, Pledge Support to NDA
On June 14, 2026, rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar announced their merger with the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) after meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Dastidar stated that 20 MPs, representing more than two-thirds of the party's Lok Sabha contingent, requested separate seating and declared they would work with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the national interest. The split follows a public rebellion against TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's leadership. In response, TMC parliamentary party leader Abhishek Banerjee wrote to the Speaker urging him not to recognize any breakaway faction. The development marks a significant political realignment in India's Parliament.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Rebel TMC MP Kakoli Claims 22 Lok Sabha MPs in Dissident Camp, Meeting with Speaker Scheduled
Rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar claimed on June 14, 2026, that 22 Lok Sabha MPs are now part of the dissident camp, with two more parliamentarians expected to join. The group has scheduled a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on June 15 to seek recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc. The meeting, initially planned in Kolkata, has been shifted to Delhi. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is unlikely to attend due to an official engagement. A document with signatures of 19 TMC MPs surfaced earlier, including Dastidar, Satabdi Roy, and others. The dissidents have publicly broken ranks with Mamata Banerjee's leadership and intend to back the BJP-led NDA at the Centre. The Speaker's Secretariat has not officially confirmed receipt of the letter.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Claims 22 TMC MPs in Dissident Camp, Meeting with Speaker Scheduled
Rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar announced on June 14, 2026, that 22 Lok Sabha MPs are now part of a dissident faction within the party, with two more expected to join. The group has scheduled a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on June 15 to seek formal recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc. A document bearing signatures of 19 MPs, including Dastidar, Satabdi Roy, and Dev, surfaced on June 12, indicating the group's intention to support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The meeting, initially planned for Kolkata, was moved to Delhi. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was expected but unlikely to attend due to official engagements. The development follows ongoing turmoil within the TMC after the state assembly elections, with dissident MPs publicly breaking ranks with Mamata Banerjee's leadership. A meeting between senior TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has fueled further political speculation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Trinamool Congress Rebellion Reaches Delhi: 20 MPs Plan to Form Separate Bloc, Support NDA
A major rebellion has erupted within India's Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, with 20 of its 29 Lok Sabha MPs planning to form a separate parliamentary bloc and support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The rebel MPs, led by Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, held a meeting at the residence of Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was also present. The move follows a similar rebellion by nearly 60 TMC MLAs last week. The rebel MPs intend to submit a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition as a separate bloc. The development is a significant blow to TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee and comes as the NDA inches closer to a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.TMC crisis deepens as rebel MPs arrive in Delhi to stake claim as 'real Trinamool'
The crisis within India's Trinamool Congress (TMC) party escalated on June 14, 2026, as rebel MPs Saayoni Ghosh and Mala Roy arrived in New Delhi ahead of a planned meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The dissident faction, claiming the support of 20 of the party's 28 Lok Sabha MPs, intends to seek recognition as the 'real TMC' parliamentary group. The rebels are also expected to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The developments follow senior TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay's defection to the rebel camp after meeting Union Ministers Amit Shah and Bhupender Yadav. In response, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee carried out a major organizational reshuffle, removing Ghosh, Roy, and Bandyopadhyay from key party positions. TMC leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose, have rejected the rebels' claim, arguing that the anti-defection law does not permit a separate parliamentary group and that rebel MPs face disqualification unless they merge with another party. The standoff marks a significant political challenge to Mamata Banerjee's leadership.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Constitutional expert questions rebel TMC MPs' plan to seek 'real TMC' status from Speaker
Constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha secretary general P.D.T. Achary has questioned the plan of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs to seek recognition as the 'real TMC' parliamentary group from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Achary stated that under current circumstances, the Speaker has no role in deciding which faction is the real party; that authority lies with the Election Commission of India (ECI), citing the Subhash Desai case. He explained that the rebel group must approach the ECI with evidence of having the largest number of MPs/MLAs and control over the party's organizational wing. The rebels, claiming support of 19 Lok Sabha MPs, plan to meet the Speaker on June 15, 2026. The TMC has been hit by a rebellion following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, with senior leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay recently joining the dissident faction.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.BJP Claims Real TMC Led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Mamata and Abhishek Represent Fake TMC
The BJP has escalated its attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming that a document signed by 20 TMC Lok Sabha MPs proves the 'real TMC' is led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, not Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged the party is experiencing an 'implosion' due to dynastic politics and Banerjee's preference for her nephew. This follows the TMC's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, ending Banerjee's 15-year rule, and a rebellion by a large section of legislators. Poonawalla claimed 65-70 TMC MLAs and several Rajya Sabha MPs are also with the dissident faction, accusing Banerjee of putting family ahead of the party and suggesting she may merge with Congress.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.