Key Facts
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on June 12, 2026, released a document claiming that 20 Lok Sabha MPs of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have signed a letter recognizing Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as the leader of the 'real TMC', rejecting Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. This comes amid a deepening crisis in the party following its defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections earlier in 2026.
Details of the Split
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated, Proof is now out in the open. A document carrying the signatures of 20 Lok Sabha MPs of the real TMC under Kakoli Ghosh's leadership shows that the real TMC is different from what Mamata and Abhishek are representing. They are now the fake TMC.
He further alleged that in the Vidhan Sabha, around 65-70 MLAs have also rallied behind the rebel faction, along with several Rajya Sabha MPs. Poonawalla described the situation as a complete implosion of TMC
and called it tukdo mein Congress
.
Impact on Mamata Banerjee
The crisis erupted after the TMC's defeat in the 2026 assembly elections, which ended Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule. Banerjee herself lost her Bhabanipur seat to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari by a margin of 15,105 votes. The rebellion, initially among MLAs, has now spread to Parliament. Poonawalla accused Banerjee of prioritizing her nephew over the party, saying, Because she puts her nephew first and not the party, the party has moved away from her.
He suggested that Banerjee might merge her faction with the Congress.
Broader Implications
Drawing parallels with other regional parties, Poonawalla asserted that dynastic politics leads to loss of control. This is the reality of life. Those who promote dynastic politics within parties eventually lose control of those parties. Whether it is the NCP [Sharad Pawar], TMC, DMK or RJD, the result is the same,
he said. The TMC split is seen as a major setback for Mamata Banerjee, who now faces a challenge to her leadership from within her own party.
FAQ
Who is leading the rebel faction in TMC?
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a Lok Sabha MP, is reportedly leading a faction of 20 TMC MPs who have declared themselves as the 'real TMC'.
What triggered the split in Trinamool Congress?
The party's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, where Mamata Banerjee lost her seat, led to a rebellion by MLAs and MPs who accuse her of prioritizing dynastic politics.
How many MLAs are supporting the rebel faction?
According to BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, around 65-70 TMC MLAs and several Rajya Sabha MPs have joined the faction led by Kakoli Ghosh.