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Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee is once again facing questions over unity within her party after a high-level meeting at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata witnessed a notably low turnout. While the gathering was attended by a select group of lawmakers, the limited participation has fueled renewed speculation about growing discontent within the party ranks.

The TMC currently has 42 Members of Parliament, including 29 Lok Sabha MPs and 13 Rajya Sabha MPs, along with 80 legislators in the West Bengal Assembly. However, only 14 lawmakers eight MLAs and six MPs were physically present at Friday’s meeting.

Senior Leaders Among Those Present

Among the MLAs who attended were Bina Mondal, Ashima Patra, Madan Mitra, Kunal Ghosh, Firhad Hakim, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Biman Banerjee and Ashok Kumar Deb. The MPs present included Dola Sen, Mala Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien and Sudip Bandyopadhyay.

The low attendance quickly triggered political discussions, with observers linking it to reports of internal divisions within the party.

TMC Clarifies Nature of the Meeting

Responding to the speculation, the Trinamool Congress clarified that the gathering was not intended to include all MPs and MLAs. According to the party, it was a meeting of the National Working Committee, and several committee members participated virtually.

The party stated that leaders such as Mahua Moitra, Sushmita Dev, Mukul Sangma and Rajesh Tripathi joined the discussions online, emphasizing that the event should not be viewed as a full legislative meeting.

Reports of Internal Challenges Continue

The meeting comes amid ongoing reports of dissent within the party. Political developments in the state assembly and Parliament have intensified discussions about the TMC’s internal dynamics and leadership challenges.

At the same time, speculation continues over Mamata Banerjee’s future political strategy, including reports suggesting she could consider a move to the Lok Sabha. While no official decision has been announced, the possibility remains a subject of political interest as the party navigates a crucial phase.