'We're Now 22': Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Claims Support Of 22 MPs Ahead Of Speaker Meeting

The internal turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) showed signs of intensifying on Sunday after rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar claimed that two more parliamentarians were set to join the dissident camp, taking the group's strength in the Lok Sabha to 22 members. The development comes amid an ongoing rebellion within the party following its electoral setbacks in West Bengal.

Rebel Group Plans Meeting With Lok Sabha Speaker

Speaking before departing for New Delhi from Kolkata airport, Dastidar said the rebel MPs had secured an appointment with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and would seek recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc.

"We are going to Delhi for a meeting. Twenty-two MPs are with us. The Speaker has given us time. We will meet him on Monday and seek recognition as a separate bloc," she said.

The rebel leader did not disclose the identities of the two additional MPs expected to join the camp, stating that their names would be announced only after they formally align with the group.

Dissidents Claim Growing Support Within Party

Dastidar asserted that more lawmakers had been reaching out to the rebel camp over dissatisfaction with the party's functioning in recent years.

"Those who honestly voiced their opinions against the situation prevailing in West Bengal over the last four to five years have been in touch with us. Our number is now 22," she said.

According to reports, a meeting of the dissident MPs that was initially scheduled to take place in Kolkata has now been shifted to Delhi. The move is being viewed as another sign of the widening divide within the party's parliamentary ranks.

Rebellion Follows Electoral Setback

The latest developments come against the backdrop of growing unrest within the TMC after the West Bengal Assembly elections. Earlier in the week, rebel MPs openly challenged the party leadership and indicated support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. Several dissident lawmakers have also explored the possibility of forming a separate political grouping and seeking recognition in Parliament.

A letter carrying the signatures of 19 TMC MPs surfaced on Friday, with the signatories reportedly seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary group under Dastidar's leadership. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Speaker's Secretariat regarding the receipt or status of the request.

Uncertainty Looms Over TMC's Parliamentary Future

The rebellion has emerged as one of the biggest challenges faced by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in recent years. If the dissident camp succeeds in expanding its numbers further, it could significantly alter the party's strength in Parliament and reshape political equations at the national level. For now, attention remains focused on the upcoming meeting with the Speaker and whether the rebel MPs receive recognition as a separate bloc.