Mamata Bets On INDIA Bloc To Regain Ground As TMC Turmoil Deepens Internal Dissent

Last Updated:June 07, 2026, 12:25 IST

Facing a widening revolt and questions over Abhishek Banerjee’s role, Mamata Banerjee heads to Delhi seeking political support and organisational stability.

As Trinamool Congress (TMC) battles the most serious internal crisis in its 28-year history, party supremo Mamata Banerjee is turning her attention to the national stage, with senior leaders viewing her upcoming participation in the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi as part of a broader effort to stabilise her position within the party and rebuild her political standing.

The Opposition alliance meeting is scheduled for June 8 in New Delhi, and Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are expected to attend the gathering, which comes in the aftermath of the Assembly elections held in several states and a Union Territory.

Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Sunday and remain there until Tuesday, while Abhishek Banerjee reached the capital a day earlier.

Banerjee’s Delhi visit comes at a time when she is attempting to formulate a roadmap for recovery after the party’s electoral setback and the subsequent rebellion by a large section of its legislators.

The Indian Express quoted a senior TMC leader as saying, “She is desperate now to regain her footing in the party as well as credibility on the national stage."

The report further said Banerjee is exploring the possibility of meeting Congress leader Sonia Gandhi during her visit, though no confirmation had been received from the Gandhi family.

The development has drawn attention because of the strained relationship that existed between the Congress and TMC in recent years, particularly over leadership questions within the opposition camp.

A senior Bengal Congress leader told the newspaper, “When Mamata Banerjee was in the winning phase, she said whatever she wanted about the Congress."

“She also tried to snatch the leadership of the INDIA bloc from the Congress and criticised Rahul Gandhi. Now, she should not think that during her bad time, the Congress will go away. But we will not stand like close friends either," the Congress leader added.

ORGANISATIONAL RESHUFFLE AIMED AT CONTAINING REBELLION

The report linked Banerjee’s national outreach efforts with the organisational overhaul announced by the party on Friday.

The reshuffle retained Abhishek Banerjee as national general secretary but brought Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen in as joint national secretaries, a move seen as an attempt to broaden decision-making and address criticism directed at Abhishek’s leadership.

PTI had similarly reported that the restructuring represented a decisive effort by Mamata Banerjee to consolidate control over a party facing an existential challenge after the split in its legislature wing.

The agency noted that the appointment of Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen was widely interpreted as an attempt to institutionalise collective decision-making and dilute the concentration of authority at the top.

The reshuffle followed the revolt by 58 MLAs who wrested control of the legislature party and elected expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, creating the gravest internal crisis since the party’s formation in 1998.

REBELS DIVIDED OVER MAMATA’S FUTURE ROLE

One of the key revelations in The Indian Express report is that divisions have emerged even within the rebel camp over Mamata Banerjee’s future position in the party.

While rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee reportedly suggested that she could remain the party’s “prodhan poramorshodata" or chief adviser, some legislators objected strongly to the proposal.

Rebel MLA Gulshan Mullick was quoted as saying, “A leader is a completely different thing, the supreme, what everyone calls a guardian. ‘Prodhan poramorshodata’ means someone who assists from the outside, superficially. If Mamata Banerjee is not kept as the supreme party leader, we will have to rethink this whole thing."

Another rebel MLA, Sangeeta Roy Basunia, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Mamata Banerjee is our supreme leader and will remain so. She cannot be an adviser. She is our leader."

According to PTI, the rebellion is not directly against Mamata Banerjee but against the authority exercised by her nephew and political heir apparent, Abhishek Banerjee.

Many rebels continue to acknowledge Mamata’s leadership even as they challenge the existing power structure within the party.

OUTREACH TO MUSLIM MLAS AND FEARS OF A PARLIAMENTARY REVOLT

The Express report also said Banerjee has intensified efforts to reconnect with Muslim legislators, some of whom are reportedly uncomfortable with Ritabrata Banerjee’s perceived proximity to the BJP.

Among the 80 TMC MLAs elected in the 2026 Assembly election, 31 are Muslims, and the rebellion has split this influential bloc as well.

According to the report, several Muslim legislators joined the rebel camp, while others, including veteran leader Firhad Hakim and Babar Ali, stayed away.

Mamata Banerjee is said to be relying on such leaders to help bridge differences and contain the fallout.

Perhaps the most significant concern emerging from the report is the possibility of unrest spreading to the party’s parliamentary wing.

The Indian Express reported that some TMC leaders expect a similar rebellion among Lok Sabha MPs and that discussions are already taking place about seeking Abhishek Banerjee’s removal as parliamentary party leader.

A senior TMC MP told the newspaper, “In the Lok Sabha, the TMC has 28 MPs. We need the support of 19 MPs to oust Abhishek Banerjee. You may see that support may cross 20 also."

The party’s larger fear is preventing the Assembly rebellion from spilling over into Parliament, where the TMC remains one of the largest opposition parties with substantial representation in both Houses.

As Mamata Banerjee heads to Delhi for the INDIA bloc meeting, the challenge before her extends far beyond opposition unity.

The immediate task is to demonstrate that she still commands enough authority to hold together a party confronting its deepest internal divisions since its inception.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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