TMC Rebels to Join BJP? Shuvendu Adhikari’s Nabanna meeting brought together expelled MLAs and senior TMC leaders, fueling speculation over political realignment as internal divisions within the Trinamool Congress deepen.
Expelled MLAs Share Platform with Senior TMC Leaders as Party’s Internal Crisis Deepens
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | June 4, 2026
KOLKATA: TMC Rebels to Join BJP? The question is gaining momentum across West Bengal’s political circles after a high-profile administrative meeting at Nabanna brought together rival factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The presence of expelled legislators Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha alongside senior party leaders has intensified speculation about a possible realignment within Bengal politics.
The Rebels to Join BJP? debate gathered pace on Wednesday when several prominent TMC figures, including Firhad Hakim, Kunal Ghosh, Nayana Bandyopadhyay, and others, attended an administrative review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari. The gathering focused on governance issues concerning Kolkata, Howrah, and South 24 Parganas districts, but its political implications quickly overshadowed the official agenda.
Political observers were particularly struck by the participation of Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, who were expelled from the Trinamool Congress earlier this week on allegations of anti-party activities. While their attendance had been anticipated, the simultaneous presence of leaders traditionally associated with the party’s central leadership has triggered fresh questions about the future direction of several influential TMC figures.
The developments come amid an escalating leadership dispute within the Trinamool Congress following the party’s disappointing electoral performance. On Monday, Ritabrata and Sandipan were formally removed from the party. However, on Wednesday they submitted a letter to the Assembly Speaker reaffirming their support for Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson while proposing Ritabrata as the new Leader of the Opposition.
The letter also recommended Sabina Yasmin, Javed Khan, Shiuli Saha, and Sandipan Saha for deputy leadership positions. The move effectively challenged an earlier leadership arrangement under which veteran politician Shovandeb Chattopadhyay had been chosen for the post. Dissident lawmakers have publicly declared that they do not recognize that decision, leaving the matter in the hands of Assembly Speaker Rathin Basu.
Against this backdrop, the Nabanna meeting acquired added significance. Leaders such as Firhad Hakim and Kunal Ghosh had been seen standing firmly beside Mamata Banerjee during recent political events. Their appearance at a meeting chaired by Shuvendu Adhikari has fueled widespread political discussion and speculation about shifting loyalties within the party.
A similar trend had already emerged when Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar attended a previous administrative meeting despite expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s functioning. Wednesday’s developments have further strengthened perceptions that cracks within the Trinamool Congress are becoming increasingly visible.
The party’s troubles have intensified since its electoral setback. On Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee led a major protest demonstration in Kolkata, yet only a handful of senior leaders were seen by her side. At the same time, senior leader Abhishek Banerjee has remained largely absent from public political activities following an attack on his convoy during a recent visit to Sonarpur.
Further evidence of internal turmoil emerged when the Trinamool Congress announced the dissolution of all party committees through an official social media statement. The party stated that new committees would be formed based on performance assessments, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to regain organizational control amid growing unrest.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Kunal Ghosh revealed that several proposals had been placed before the Chief Minister. Among the issues discussed were street vendor rehabilitation, eviction policies, and complaints that TMC workers were allegedly facing political harassment after the elections. According to Ghosh, the administration assured participants that the concerns would be reviewed positively.
Meanwhile, Bagnan MLA Arunava Sen made headlines with a strong political statement. While reaffirming his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee, he openly distanced himself from Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership. Sen declared that his group had already selected its preferred opposition leader and intended to stand by that decision.
Although there has been no official indication that any rebel leaders are preparing to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Wednesday’s events have significantly intensified political speculation. With rival factions appearing on the same platform, organizational restructuring underway, and leadership disputes far from resolved, the question dominating Bengal politics remains: TMC Rebels to Join BJP?
