Trinamool factions split on merger with NCPI

Indicating further fragmentation in the Trinamool Congress, the rebel factions of the party — one in the Lok Sabha and the other in the West Bengal Assembly — have spoken in different voices. While Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Ritabrata Banerjee, who claims the support of 65 MLAs, said the Legislature Party has “no idea” about merging with the Nationalist Citizen Party of India (NCPI), their colleagues in the Lok Sabha had already announced such a move.

Also read | 20 rebel Trinamool Lok Sabha MPs seek to merge with Nationalist Citizen Party of Indi

On Sunday (June 14, 2026) night, 20 MPs elected on the Trinamool symbol informed the Lok Sabha Speaker that they had merged with the NCPI, a registered regional political party. Later, speaking to reporters, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is leading the faction, said that this group “will collaborate” with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Mr. Banerjee, meanwhile, struck a different note, insisting on playing the role of the Opposition. Speaking to The Hindu on Monday (June 15, 2026), Mr. Banerjee said: “We are the principal Opposition party in the West Bengal Assembly.” On whether the rebel MLAs will merge with the NCPI, he said no such decision has been taken.

Elaborating later in the day, Mr. Banerjee told reporters in Kolkata that he had learnt about the 20 MPs’ decision to merge with the NCPI through the media. “It is their decision; their collective has taken such a decision. As far as our collective is concerned, we have no such idea,” he said. He added that while not all 65 MLAs were present in Kolkata, many met and consulted. “As far as the Legislative Party is concerned, we do not know any such thing. So this question does not arise,” he said.

Mr. Banerjee’s stance puts a spanner in the 20 MPs’ decision to merge with the NCPI. For a merger, the support of two-thirds of its Legislature Party in Parliament as well as State Assemblies is required. With Mr. Banerjee’s bloc refusing any such move, it will be difficult for the Kakoli faction to press its claim on the party and symbol.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool faction aligned with party founder Mamata Banerjee remained silent on any action against the 20 MPs. On Sunday (June 14, 2026), Trinamool MPs Sagarika Ghose and Kirti Azad had submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla before the 20 rebel leaders met him. The letter urged the Speaker not to recognise or grant separate status to any rebel Trinamool faction in the Lok Sabha.

The letter from party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said the Trinamool is a “single, indivisible political party”. It said the Legislative Party cannot be separated from the parent organisation and that no breakaway group based on signatures can claim recognition.