Political Earthquake in Bengal: TMC Faces Biggest Internal Revolt

The political crisis within the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has worsened. Some 20 Lok Sabha MPs reportedly have sought to form a separate parliamentary group and have expressed support for the NDA, making it one of the biggest in-house challenges in the party's history.

The turmoil comes after a previous slog at the Assembly of the state of West Bengal in which 58 rebel MLAs supported Ritabrata Banerjee and questioned the party's official leadership. With significant backing in both the Assembly and Parliament, the rebel camp is being backed, while TMC leadership has denied that there is a major split within the party and has accused political opponents of creating the rebellion.

The pressure is on as three Rajya Sabha members have quit the party and the Upper House in recent days. Senior leaders of the party, however, are still staunchly supporting Mamata Banerjee on the public platform, assuring that the party was united despite defections.