Sagarika Ghose on TMC's Existential Crisis: Loyalty, Power, and BJP's Role

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is grappling with an 'unprecedented political crisis' following its defeat in the West Bengal 2026 Assembly election, a situation critically analyzed by TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose. In a recent 'Frontline Conversations' episode, Ghose delved into the complex interplay of power, loyalty, and political maneuvering that has led to significant internal fragmentation, including mass defections by senior leaders, legislators, and parliamentarians.

Ghose staunchly defended the party's core, asserting that 'there is no Trinamool Congress without Mamata Banerjee'. She critically examined the motivations behind the exodus, particularly the actions of around 60 of the 80 TMC MLAs who have formed a rebel bloc, alongside approximately 19 of 28 Lok Sabha MPs who have similarly broken ranks, pledging support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Furthermore, four of the 13 Rajya Sabha MPs have also quit the party.

According to Ghose, many of these defectors are driven by opportunism rather than genuine ideological shifts. She questioned whether these individuals would have abandoned the party if Mamata Banerjee had secured an electoral victory, suggesting their loyalty extends 'only as long as victory' and that they are primarily seeking proximity to power and the 'loaves and fishes of office'. Ghose termed this trend a 'weakness of character' and an 'ethical and moral deficit,' arguing that any internal differences should be addressed within party forums.

A significant part of Ghose's critique focused on the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) alleged role in instigating the crisis. She accused the BJP of actively trying to dismantle opposition parties by employing 'coercive state power' and weaponizing central investigative agencies, such as the CBI, to intimidate and harass opposition leaders. Ghose cited instances like the raids on Mamata Banerjee's and Abhishek Banerjee's residences, labeling them 'pure vendetta, pure intimidation, pure harassment, pure mental torture'. She condemned what she described as 'medieval barbarism' in the treatment of arrested leaders, highlighting a perceived undermining of constitutional democracy.

Ghose suggested that the BJP is attempting to create an 'artificial majority' by poaching members from opposition parties, thereby subverting the mandate of the 2024 general election, which she characterized as a call for a coalition government and a strong opposition, not a majority for the BJP. She also touched upon the role of the Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC), indicating its involvement might have inadvertently fueled discontent within the TMC.

Regarding the legal implications of the defections, Ghose has been vocal about the anti-defection law. She asserted that there is no legal provision under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution for a 'separate group' to operate within the House while retaining seats won on the original party's symbol. An MP or MLA can only avoid disqualification if their original political party formally merges with another, under specific conditions. She, along with TMC MP Kirti Azad, has approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to formally request recognition of the TMC as a single, indivisible unit, thereby challenging the legitimacy of the rebel factions.

The internal turmoil has also led to public clashes, such as the sparring between Ghose and rebel TMC leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, which further underscores the deep divisions between loyalist and rebel camps. Despite the challenges, Ghose maintains that the Trinamool Congress possesses a distinct ideology rooted in 'grassroots liberalism' and a strong connection to Bengali identity. The ongoing crisis has sparked broader discussions about Mamata Banerjee's leadership, Abhishek Banerjee's future role, and the stability of the INDIA alliance in the evolving Indian political landscape.