Kolkata, June 4, 2026 — Just days after its humiliating defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing its most severe internal crisis since its formation in 1998. A powerful rebellion led by a significant section of its newly elected MLAs is openly challenging the leadership of Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and the party’s de facto second-in-command. The revolt threatens to fracture the party and could potentially strip Mamata Banerjee of the political organisation she built over nearly three decades.
The scale of TMC’s electoral collapse has triggered the backlash. In the 2026 polls, the party was reduced to around 80 seats, while the BJP surged to a massive victory with approximately 207 seats, forming the government under Suvendu Adhikari. The shocking loss has exposed deep resentment within the party ranks against what many describe as Abhishek Banerjee’s centralised and high-handed style of functioning.
The Face of the Rebellion
Ritabrata Banerjee, the expelled TMC MLA from Uluberia Purba and a former Rajya Sabha MP, has emerged as the public face of the revolt. In a dramatic move, the West Bengal Assembly Speaker recognised Ritabrata as the Leader of Opposition (LoP), supported by 58 TMC MLAs — more than two-thirds of the party’s legislative strength. This numerical majority shields the rebels from immediate anti-defection provisions.
The rebels have alleged that signatures were forged in the official TMC proposal submitted to the Speaker, which had named Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the LoP. Following the Speaker’s decision, Ritabrata met with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in Delhi, intensifying speculation about possible future alignments, though the rebels have repeatedly insisted they remain loyal to Mamata Banerjee.
Core Demand: Remove Abhishek
The rebels’ message is clear and consistent: “We are not against Mamata Banerjee, but we cannot accept Abhishek’s leadership anymore.” They want Mamata to continue in an advisory or guiding role while demanding that Abhishek Banerjee, who is not an MLA, step back from day-to-day control of the party.
Discontent against Abhishek has been building for years but erupted after the election debacle. Senior leaders and grassroots MLAs accuse him and the external consultancy firm I-PAC of running the party like a corporate entity — top-down, centralised, and disconnected from ground realities. Many blame Abhishek’s team for faulty candidate selection, flawed campaign strategy, and an arrogant approach that alienated veteran leaders who had stood by Mamata during her early struggles against the Left Front.
Critics within the party have likened Abhishek’s style to the “Sanjay Gandhi complex” — an overbearing dynastic interference that sidelined experienced voices. Issues such as alleged corruption, “cut-money” culture, and governance failures during TMC’s long rule have also contributed to the current anger.
Mamata’s Response
Mamata Banerjee’s camp has responded by dissolving all frontal organisations and district committees in West Bengal for a “comprehensive review.” Party spokespersons have dismissed the rebels as being backed by the BJP and have sought to project the unrest as a minor internal matter.
However, the depth of the rebellion suggests otherwise. With over two-thirds of TMC MLAs backing the dissent, the party is staring at the real possibility of a formal split — similar to what happened with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra or the NCP in recent years. Under the Election Commission rules, such a majority could allow the rebels to stake claim over the party’s name and symbol.
What Lies Ahead
The coming days are critical for Mamata Banerjee. She faces an agonising choice: stand firmly with her nephew, seen by many as her political heir, or accommodate the majority of her MLAs to preserve the party’s unity. Her ability to navigate this crisis will determine whether the TMC survives as a formidable force or fragments into irrelevance.
The revolt is not just about personal ambitions; it reflects deeper fault lines — between old-style grassroots politics and a new, consultant-driven, dynastic approach. For a party that rose to power on the promise of change and anti-incumbency against the Left, the current turmoil serves as a stark reminder of how quickly dominance can turn into vulnerability once power is lost.
As West Bengal adjusts to a new political reality under BJP rule, the future of the TMC now hangs in the balance — not because of external enemies alone, but due to simmering discontent from within.
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