Twenty rebel members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are reportedly preparing to take legal action against their colleague Mahua Moitra. This follows her recent claim that the MPs received a bribe of Rs 40 crore to switch their political allegiance. The matter gained attention after meetings between the rebelling MPs, who were reported to be in strong disagreement with the allegations.

Sources indicate that the group is considering filing a defamation suit against Moitra, particularly for her assertions that they accepted financial inducements to leave the TMC. Such allegations have intensified the existing political tensions within the party.

Moitra, a prominent supporter of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claimed that the twenty MPs were paid Rs 4 crore as an initial amount, followed by Rs 1 crore monthly for three years. This statement appeared in response to comments made by Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, who suggested that Maharashtra MPs were being offered Rs 15 crore to change sides.

Significant Party Split and Consequences

The allegations by Moitra surfaced after a notable split occurred within the TMC’s parliamentary unit. A faction of 20 MPs out of the party’s 28 members in the Lok Sabha broke away, leading to serious repercussions for the TMC’s presence in Parliament. The group is now reportedly aligning with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Chief Whip Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is leading this faction, which formally indicated its decision in a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Dastidar stated that the breakaway was based on collective consultations with other MPs, reflecting their understanding of the electorate’s will. They believe aligning with the NDA presents a clearer political path moving forward.

The rebel MPs have chosen to affiliate themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a regional political entity based in Tripura. This strategic move aims to protect them from disqualification under the anti-defection law. While they have not integrated directly with the BJP, they have expressed their support for the NDA.

Moitra’s Stance and Ongoing Political Struggles

The TMC’s parliamentary strength has now dwindled to eight members, marking a significant setback for the party since its inception in 1998. Moitra has continued to publicly support Banerjee amid the party’s turmoil, directing criticisms towards those who have defected to the rebel group. She has labelled the departing leaders as “completely useless”, stating that they thrived on Banerjee’s popularity.

Moreover, Moitra has targeted Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan, who has come under fire for allegedly siding with the rebel faction. She challenged Pathan’s decision to acquiesce to a summons issued by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and called upon him to exhibit the courage he displayed during his cricketing career.

This latest episode adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing power struggle within the TMC. Previously, expelled TMC MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha claimed to rally support from 60 legislators, reiterating Banerjee’s position as the party leader. They assert that this backing could exceed the two-thirds requirement stipulated by the anti-defection law, potentially strengthening their claim to the party’s electoral symbol in future conflicts.

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