Mamata Heads ‘Fake TMC’, Says BJP Amid Fresh Political Attack
Shehzad Poonawalla cites signatures of Lok Sabha MPs as evidence of growing dissent, links internal turmoil to dynastic politics within the Trinamool Congress.
New Delhi, June 13: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday intensified its attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming that a majority section of the party’s elected representatives has aligned itself with a faction led by senior leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, signalling deepening divisions within the West Bengal based political outfit.
Addressing the media through a video statement, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that a document bearing the signatures of around 20 TMC Lok Sabha members demonstrates that support within the party has shifted away from its traditional leadership. According to him, the signatures indicate that a significant section of parliamentarians has rallied behind an alternative leadership structure.
The BJP leader claimed that the development reflects a growing internal rebellion and represents a major challenge for the party leadership following its electoral setback in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. He argued that the political situation within the TMC has evolved into a full fledged leadership crisis, with dissatisfaction spreading across different levels of the organisation.
The controversy emerged amid reports that nearly 20 TMC Members of Parliament had signed a communication addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. While details surrounding the letter remain at the centre of political discussions, the BJP has interpreted the move as evidence of widening cracks within the party.
Poonawalla alleged that the unrest is not confined to Parliament and extends to the state legislature as well. He claimed that a substantial number of TMC legislators in the West Bengal Assembly have expressed support for the dissident camp, indicating a broader realignment within the organisation.
The BJP spokesperson further maintained that several members of the Rajya Sabha are also sympathetic to the emerging faction. According to him, the situation points to a significant restructuring of political loyalties within the party following its loss of power in the state.
The Trinamool Congress has been grappling with political uncertainty since the Assembly elections earlier this year, where the BJP secured a decisive victory and ended the party’s long tenure in government. The electoral defeat was compounded by the loss of several prominent leaders, triggering debates over the party’s future direction and leadership strategy.
Poonawalla attributed the current turmoil to what he described as the consequences of dynastic politics. He alleged that prioritising family interests over organisational concerns had created dissatisfaction among party leaders and workers, eventually leading to the emergence of rival power centres.
Drawing comparisons with developments in other regional political parties, the BJP leader argued that excessive concentration of leadership within a family often results in internal divisions and organisational instability. He claimed that such trends weaken party structures and create opportunities for factionalism.
The remarks mark the latest chapter in an escalating political confrontation between the BJP and the TMC following the dramatic changes in West Bengal’s political landscape. While the BJP continues to portray the developments as a sign of growing support for an alternative leadership, the Trinamool Congress has yet to formally respond to the specific allegations made by the saffron party.
Political observers believe the evolving situation could have significant implications for opposition politics in West Bengal and at the national level. The coming weeks are expected to reveal whether the reported divisions translate into a formal split or whether efforts will be made to preserve unity within the party.
As competing claims continue to dominate political discourse, attention remains focused on the strength of support enjoyed by various factions and the future course of one of India’s most influential regional parties.