The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified on Monday after party MP Sharmila Sarkar claimed that a dissident faction backed by around 20 MPs was seeking to function separately in Parliament and extend support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Speaking amid the ongoing turmoil within the party, Sarkar said the rebel group had communicated its position to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and was seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary grouping.

According to Sarkar, dissatisfaction has been growing among several MPs over the party’s functioning and internal decision-making processes. She alleged that many lawmakers felt their concerns were not being adequately addressed within the organisation.

Rebel faction stakes claim

Sarkar claimed that around 20 MPs were associated with the dissident faction and intended to support the NDA in Parliament while functioning separately from the Trinamool Congress.

If the move materialises and receives the necessary recognition, it could have significant implications for the party’s strength in Parliament and pose a major challenge for the TMC leadership.

The claim comes amid a period of internal unrest within the Trinamool Congress, marked by public disagreements involving several leaders and the recent resignation of senior Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy from the party.

Party yet to confirm rebels’ claims

Reports have suggested that rebel leaders have been holding discussions in Delhi as the crisis unfolds. However, the Trinamool Congress leadership has not officially confirmed the dissidents’ claim that around 20 MPs are backing the proposed separate grouping.

As political developments continue to unfold, attention is now focused on whether the rebel faction can formally secure recognition under parliamentary procedures and how the party leadership responds to the challenge.

For now, Sarkar’s remarks have added to speculation about a possible split within the party’s parliamentary ranks at a time when opposition parties are attempting to maintain unity at the national level.

The opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has criticised the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) over its latest Rajya Sabha nominations, alleging that the party’s commitment to women’s political representation is not reflected in its candidate selections. The remarks have triggered a fresh political confrontation in Andhra Pradesh over the issue of women’s reservation.

TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently finalised the party’s nominees for the upcoming Rajya Sabha vacancies. The selected candidates include sitting MP Sana Satish Babu, education entrepreneur Bhashyam Ramakrishna and party leader Chintakayala Vijay.

YSRCP raises questions on women’s representation

Reacting to the nominations, the YSRCP argued that the selections did not align with repeated promises made by the TDP leadership regarding women’s participation in politics. The opposition party pointed to the absence of women among the announced Rajya Sabha candidates and questioned the sincerity of the ruling party’s commitment to reserving 33 per cent of seats for women.

The criticism comes shortly after TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh announced that the party would reserve 33 per cent of Assembly and Parliament seats for women in the 2029 elections. The proposal had also received public backing from Chandrababu Naidu.

Opposition calls Rajya Sabha nominations a missed opportunity

According to the YSRCP, the Rajya Sabha nominations provided an immediate opportunity for the TDP to demonstrate its commitment to women’s empowerment through candidate selection. The party maintained that political commitments should be reflected through representation and decision-making roles rather than only through public declarations.

The issue has now emerged as another point of contention between the ruling NDA alliance in Andhra Pradesh and the opposition YSRCP, with both sides likely to continue debating women’s representation in elected bodies in the run-up to future elections.

In a major setback for Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, veteran Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has resigned from the party, further highlighting the turbulence within the organisation.

Roy’s departure comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress is facing one of the most challenging phases in its recent political history. The party has been dealing with growing internal dissent and criticism from several leaders following its electoral setbacks and organisational turmoil.

The Rajya Sabha member had recently voiced strong concerns about the party’s future and leadership. In public remarks made in recent weeks, he questioned the direction of the organisation and expressed doubts about its long-term prospects.

Roy, a senior parliamentarian who has represented West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha since 2011, had long been considered one of the prominent voices of the Trinamool Congress in Parliament. His resignation is likely to add pressure on the party leadership as it seeks to contain growing unrest among sections of its leaders and legislators.

Resignation adds to concerns over party unity

The development comes amid continuing speculation over divisions within the Trinamool Congress’s parliamentary ranks. Party leaders have been engaged in efforts to maintain unity and prevent further exits as concerns over defections continue to dominate political discussions.

In recent days, several leaders associated with the party have publicly expressed dissatisfaction or stepped away from organisational responsibilities, fuelling debate about the party’s internal situation.

Political implications

Roy’s resignation is significant because of his long association with the Trinamool Congress and his role in Parliament. Political observers believe the move could encourage further debate within the party and intensify scrutiny of the leadership’s strategy in the aftermath of recent political developments in West Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress leadership is expected to focus on limiting the impact of the resignation while attempting to reassure party workers and supporters about the organisation’s future direction.