In a major jolt to the Trinamool Congress, 58 rebel MLAs have formally split from the party in the West Bengal Assembly, announcing a separate legislative faction on Wednesday. The group elected recently expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as its legislature party leader, escalating the internal crisis that has been brewing for weeks.

The development marks one of the largest recorded splits in the TMC since its formation. The rebel MLAs met Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose and submitted a formal letter of support for the new faction. They have also named Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, and Siuli Saha as deputy leaders, with Akhruzzaman appointed as chief whip.

Rebels Reject Abhishek's Authority

While the breakaway group has reiterated its recognition of Mamata Banerjee as the party president, it has categorically rejected the leadership of her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and any decisions taken by him regarding the legislative party. Sources familiar with the matter said the rebels were particularly upset over what they claimed was high-handedness in handling Assembly affairs.

The immediate trigger for the rebellion was a letter sent on Abhishek Banerjee’s letterhead to the Speaker, proposing senior TMC leader Shovandev Chattopadhyay’s name as Leader of the Opposition. MLAs Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee alleged that their signatures were forged on the document.

Mamata Banerjee expelled both legislators from the party on Monday following their complaint. The expulsions appear to have backfired, triggering wider discontent within the ranks.

Dissolution of Party Committees

On the same day, Mamata Banerjee dissolved all state-level committees and frontal organisations of the TMC with immediate effect. Party leaders described the move as a step towards complete organisational restructuring. Fresh committees are expected to be announced soon.

Key Developments That Led to the Crisis

The current turmoil comes against the backdrop of several setbacks and internal rumblings in recent weeks.

On May 31, as many as 60 of the 80 TMC MLAs skipped a crucial meeting called by Mamata Banerjee. The meeting had to be postponed. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh had then said the absent legislators were busy preparing protests against alleged attacks on Abhishek Banerjee.

The same day, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee claimed he was attacked by BJP supporters outside a police station in Hooghly. He alleged that around 10-15 men in saffron clothes pelted stones and abused him.

A day earlier, on May 30, Abhishek Banerjee himself was allegedly assaulted in South Sonarpur, with eggs and slippers thrown at him. The party claimed there was an attempt on his life and five persons were later arrested.

Earlier, on May 27, TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned from all party posts. Her resignation came after she attended a meeting chaired by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

On May 20, only 35 MLAs turned up for the party’s first major protest after the Assembly election defeat. The protest was held near the Ambedkar statue in the Assembly complex against post-poll violence and anti-encroachment drives.

Photo from June 1 Shows Early Signs of Rebellion

A photograph from June 1 showed Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha in a meeting with other MLAs, signalling the early stages of the brewing discontent.

What Lies Ahead

The formation of the breakaway faction has raised questions about the future strength of the TMC in the Assembly and the stability of Mamata Banerjee’s hold over the party. Political observers note that while the rebels have stopped short of fully severing ties with Mamata, the open rejection of Abhishek Banerjee’s authority points to deep fissures within the organisation.

The Speaker’s office is yet to take a final call on the recognition of the new faction. The coming days are likely to see further political manoeuvring as both sides attempt to consolidate support.

The split comes at a time when the TMC is still recovering from its Assembly election performance and facing pressure from opposition parties, particularly the BJP.

AIADMK Splits as Rebels Back Vijay Govt Ahead of Floor Test

Rebel AIADMK faction led by CV Shanmugam extends support to CM Vijay's TVK government, leaving Edappadi Palaniswami's camp weakened with just 17 MLAs as trust vote looms Wednesday.

Rebel Faction Breaks Ranks

Tamil Nadu's AIADMK faced a dramatic split on Tuesday morning when senior leader CV Shanmugam publicly declared support for Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. Speaking to reporters outside party offices in Chennai, Shanmugam said the move accepts "the mandate of the people," framing it as backing for Vijay personally rather than TVK outright.

Initial reports indicate around 30 AIADMK MLAs have quietly aligned with the rebels, shrinking the official faction's strength. This comes just a day before the Assembly floor test on May 13, called by Governor to prove Vijay's majority after TVK's surprise 2026 poll win.

Party Whip Issued Amid Defiance

In response, AIADMK coordinator Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy fired back, announcing a strict party whip directing all 47 MLAs to vote against TVK. "Action will be taken against those who defy the directive," he warned in a late morning statement from the party headquarters.

Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the party's general secretary, arrived at the Assembly on Monday with loyalists, signaling efforts to hold the line. Sources familiar with the matter said Palaniswami's camp now counts only 17 reliable MLAs, a blow after the party's meager 47-seat haul in the elections.

Shanmugam's Rationale: No DMK Tie-Up

Shanmugam justified the shift by stressing AIADMK's 53-year anti-DMK legacy. "A proposal to form government with DMK support was floated, but most members rejected it outright," he noted. "Had we gone that route, AIADMK's very existence would have ended."

He added that with no alliances in sight, the priority now is rebuilding the party independently. "Our entire focus is strengthening AIADMK again," Shanmugam said, positioning TVK support as a pragmatic stopgap.

Roots of the AIADMK Split

The fracture exposes deeper rifts. Former leader KC Palanisamy called it a "clear split," with many MLAs pushing for leadership change. "If Edappadi stays on, more may shift to TVK," he told reporters.

Key triggers include years of electoral losses— from 2019 Lok Sabha to 2021 Assembly, 2024 polls, and the 2025 Erode bypoll. Rebels also point to Palaniswami's fallout with BJP over 2024 seat-sharing talks, where he allegedly snubbed Delhi leaders. For 2026, allocating 27 "unwinnable" seats to BJP further eroded trust, they claim.

Historic Third Front Takes Power

Vijay, the actor-turned-politician, was sworn in as Tamil Nadu's 9th Chief Minister on May 10, with TVK's M.V. Karuppaiya as Protem Speaker. This marks the first non-DMK-AIADMK government since 1967, when DMK ousted Congress.

For nearly six decades, power alternated between DMK and AIADMK post-MGR's 1972 split. Smaller players like Congress, BJP, PMK and DMDK tried but failed to break the duopoly. TVK's rise ends that era, raising questions on stability amid coalition math.

Floor Test Looms Large

As Wednesday's trust vote nears, Vijay's TVK needs every edge. The AIADMK split could tip the scales, but Palaniswami's whip threatens disciplinary steps. Party insiders say rebels are mulling a formal breakaway to regroup.

Public eyes remain on Chennai's Assembly, where ground mood mixes shock with speculation. Local observers note this could reshape opposition dynamics, forcing AIADMK to confront its worst crisis yet. For now, Vijay's government hangs in a delicate balance.