Dissident leaders claim majority support and back separate parliamentary faction.
Following the West Bengal Assembly election results, the TMC has been rocked by internal turmoil. So far, 62 MLAs, three Rajya Sabha MPs and 19 Lok Sabha MPs have rebelled. Three Rajya Sabha MPs have resigned, while the 19 rebel Lok Sabha MPs have written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, stating their intention to form a separate faction and extend support to the NDA. Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia is one of the MPs who signed this letter and he spoke candidly with The Sunday Guardian.
Q: Who is the real TMC?
A: We are the real TMC, backed by the signatures of the largest group of MPs (19). There are 62 MLAs in the Assembly; the Speaker has designated them as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP)—they represent the real TMC, and we are the group of 19.
Q: Several people, including Kirti Azad and Kalyan Banerjee, claim that they are the real TMC.
A: Under the rules and regulations, the faction holding a two-thirds majority is the real one, and they do not meet that criterion.
Q: Kirti Azad is accusing you all of being traitors and opportunists—claiming that when the ship was sinking, you abandoned it and fled.
A: That is not a fair assessment. Regarding the circumstances they speak of—resentment had been brewing among everyone under Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership since 2021. Anger had developed among MPs, MLAs and leaders at all levels—from the district to the panchayat—because Abhishek Banerjee showed neither respect nor regard for anyone. He would not grant time for meetings or even speak over the phone, so what were people supposed to do? The ideology that originally drew people to the TMC is no longer present in the party. When Mamata Banerjee held the leadership, every leader was respected, and there was open dialogue with everyone. However, after Abhishek Banerjee took the helm, the ideology vanished; he operates the party like a corporate house.
Q: Is Abhishek Banerjee running the party like a corporate office?
A: Together, I-PAC and Abhishek Banerjee are running the party like a corporate house.
Q: Having served as an MLA, MP and Panchayat Samiti member, when did you feel you should leave the TMC?
A: I felt I should leave the party in 2021. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP’s Nisith Pramanik won the Cooch Behar seat. I was an MLA at the time; TMC supporters were driven away and my house was vandalized. I discussed this with Mamata Banerjee several times, yet—despite our party being in power—nothing was done, and I was forced to stay away from my constituency for three months. That is when I felt angry and realized that the TMC was no longer right for me and that I had to leave.
Q: A meeting took place at Union Minister Bhupender Yadav’s residence involving several leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari; there was also a meeting at Satabdi Roy’s house. What was discussed?
A: We went there to sign documents; the discussion was about sitting as a separate faction and extending support to the NDA in Parliament. We cannot say what will happen next; that will become clear later.
Q: Since you claim to be the “real” TMC, will a scenario similar to the Maharashtra events unfold? Will you stake a claim to the ‘Three Leaves’ election symbol before the Election Commission?
A: We cannot say right now. You will see what happens in the coming days; you will witness the developments as they unfold.
Q: What advice would you give to Abhishek and Mamata Banerjee?
A: What is there to say about them? We have parted ways with them… their paths are now separate… there is no longer any need to keep track of them. I wish them well—may they prosper—but whatever they do now is of no concern to us.
Q: What would you say about Kalyan-da? Should he come over here?
A: He could come too; nothing is impossible in politics. Look, Sayana Ghosh has joined as well.
Q: How can the Speaker accept a letter regarding the whip?
A: Everyone has the right to speak, and the right to submit a letter to the Speaker; it bears the MP’s signature. The Speaker is bound to receive the letter and must make a decision on it. The Speaker has to decide on the letter written by the MP; the majority’s mandate must be respected.
Q: Will you be meeting the Lok Sabha Speaker?
A: Yes, we will meet the Lok Sabha Speaker on Monday; before that, all the rebel MPs will also meet CM Adhikari on Sunday to discuss the future strategy.
