TMC Shaken by ‘Operation Crown Prince’… Mamata Was Set to Travel with Her Nephew; Why Did Abhishek Arrive in Delhi Early?

New Delhi: Following a major rebellion within the Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, serious concerns have now arisen regarding a potential rift within the parliamentary party as well. Amidst this major political crisis, TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee made a surprise arrival in Delhi on Saturday, causing a stir in political circles.

According to sources, it was Mamata Banerjee herself who decided to send her nephew to Delhi a day early. However, uncertainty remains among party leaders regarding Abhishek’s schedule in Delhi for Sunday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a TMC MP said, “I do not know why Abhishek is going to Delhi on Saturday. I am neither in Delhi nor in Kolkata; I have no information about any meeting.”

Abhishek to Appear Before CID
The timing of Abhishek Banerjee’s Delhi visit is considered crucial because he is scheduled to appear before the CID on Monday. The matter relates to a controversy involving forged signatures of MLAs. Abhishek had sought an extension citing poor health, a request that was outrightly rejected by the investigative agency.

Earlier, 58 out of 80 TMC MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly had rebelled against Abhishek Banerjee’s growing influence under ‘Operation Crown Prince’; led by expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee, they had secured recognition as the main opposition faction.

‘Events Similar to Bengal to Unfold in Delhi Too’
Sandipan Saha, a rebel TMC MLA and Deputy Leader of the Assembly’s new legislative wing, has made a bold statement regarding these developments. Saha claimed that a sequence of events identical to what occurred in the Bengal Assembly is now playing out within the parliamentary party in New Delhi, attributing it all to Abhishek Banerjee’s dictatorial attitude.

Following the demise of Haji Nurul Islam, the TMC currently has a total of 28 members in the Lok Sabha. Under the stringent provisions of the anti-defection law, any rebel faction would require the support of at least two-thirds of the parliamentary party—meaning a minimum of 19 Lok Sabha MPs—to claim status as a separate group without facing disqualification. Additionally, the party has 13 MPs in the Rajya Sabha.

Growing Apprehension of Rebellion in Parliament
Meanwhile, rebel leaders have intensified telephonic outreach to MPs since Friday night, aiming to replicate the events seen in Bengal within the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Efforts to rally MPs across both Houses of Parliament have gained significant momentum. Senior and experienced TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy recently highlighted this threat, noting that he had never witnessed 60 MLAs leaving a party in such a short span, and warned that a similar reaction could potentially unfold in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

On the other hand, senior TMC MP Saugata Roy has categorically dismissed claims that the party is on the verge of total collapse. Directly accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Roy stated that the BJP is attempting to execute an ‘operation’ within the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wings—much like it did in the Legislative Assembly—but asserted that Mamata Banerjee has fought and won bigger battles and will make a spectacular comeback.

Leaders close to Mamata Banerjee maintain that reports of rebellion are being vastly exaggerated and that the majority of MPs stand firmly with the top leadership. However, the reality is that the challenges facing the TMC have escalated significantly compared to a week ago, and the party now faces a litmus test in preserving the unity of its parliamentary contingent.