A West Bengal minister has claimed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is on the verge of a split, a statement that has been firmly dismissed by party leaders. The minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that internal dissent within the party could lead to a significant rupture.
Requirements for a Split
Under the anti-defection law, a split in the TMC, which currently has 80 MLAs in the state assembly, would require the support of two-thirds of its legislature party. This means that at least 53 MLAs would need to break away to constitute a legitimate split. The minister's claim implies that such a number of MLAs are dissatisfied with the current leadership.
Party's Response
Senior TMC leaders have categorically denied any such development. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated, "There is no truth to these rumors. The TMC is united under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, and such baseless claims are part of a conspiracy to destabilize the party." He further accused opposition parties of spreading misinformation.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the TMC supremo, has not directly commented on the speculation but has been holding meetings with party MLAs to reinforce unity. On Tuesday, she held a sit-in protest in Kolkata, demonstrating her continued influence over the party cadre.
Political Context
The claim comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal following the recent elections. Opposition parties have alleged post-poll violence and have called for action against TMC workers. The TMC has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated.
Political analysts note that while internal dissent is not uncommon in large parties, a split of this magnitude would require significant organizational effort and could reshape the state's political landscape. However, without concrete evidence, the claim remains speculative.
As of now, no formal notice of a split has been submitted to the assembly speaker, and all 80 TMC MLAs continue to function as a cohesive unit. The party's strong performance in recent by-elections further indicates its organizational strength.
