There's an intense buzz that Mamata Banerjee, who has effectively lost control of her Trinamool Congress to rebels, might merge the party with the Congress. Her prolonged stay in New Delhi, her nephew Abhishek Banerje's meeting with Rahul Gandhi, and her meeting with Sonia Gandhi, are all unusual.
Will it be Mamata Banerjee's ghar wapsi ? That's the question that is being asked. Mamata created the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after quitting the Congress in 1997. What wouldn't have even been considered a hypothesis a week ago, is now an intense buzz. But we still prefer to go with a question mark, until anything is confirmed. Will Mamata Banerjee merge her TMC with the Congress?
Nothing is unusual in politics. An unusual chain of events has led to the increasing chatter in the media corridors of New Delhi. Consider this. Mamata Banerjee was in New Delhi while she's facing a full-blown rebellion by her MLAs in West Bengal. Her councillors and local leaders are being attacked too . Crisis is in Bengal, but she's in Delhi. Why?
Mamata, along with her nephew and TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, attended the INDIA bloc meeting of opposition parties. When was the last time that Mamata attended an INDIA bloc meeting? The TMC, the third-biggest Opposition party with 29 Lok Sabha seats and 12 Rajya Sabha seats, forged its own line of attack against the BJP-led NDA at the Centre. Mamata didn't get along with the Congress-led alliance, so why this bonhomie now?
Mamata Banerjee had a one-on-one meeting with Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday, the first in years. The meeting was reportedly on "the future of the TMC and alliance politics". On Wednesday, Abhishek Banerjee met Rahul Gandhi, the de facto chief of the Congress. Mamata was reported to meet Sonia again on Wednesday. What's about these back-to-back meetings?
Mamata Banerjee was the chief minister of West Bengal for 15 consecutive years, and her TMC enjoyed unchallenged rule in West Bengal all that while. The TMC leaders ruled through corruption, coercion, persecution and repression, and the party seemed steel-clad. No amount of storms, it seemed, could do it any damage.
Mamata emerged as the undisputed leader of Bengal. So much was her strength within Bengal, that she wanted to play a leading national role through the power of her MPs. But everything changed on May 4.
The leader who once seemed unshakeable and the party that was thought to be invincible in Bengal were swept away in a BJP wave. It was as much a vote against Mamata and her TMC as for the BJP. Her over a decade of misrule became her nemesis . The TMC was reduced to just 80 in Bengal's 294-member Assembly.
India Today TV's Senior Editor at the Kolkata Bureau, Indrajit Kundu, on Tuesday said in a broadcast that the option of the TMC merging with the Congress, he was told, "has been suggested to Mamata Banerjee... amid a very serious situation at hand".
The rebellion against the leadership, especially Abhishek, was as instantaneous as the public anger that her local leaders faced. Over 100 TMC councillors resigned, Ritabrata Banerjee led over 60 MLAs to become the LoP in the Assembly against Mamata's wishes, and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar claimed the support of over 20 of the party's 28 MPs and pledged support to the BJP-led NDA.
Within a month of the election results, Mamata, from being the unquestioned matriarch of the TMC, lost control of the party that she founded in 1998. She started a legal battle in the Calcutta High Court. But going by the precedents of the Shiv Sena and the NCP, she must have known that she didn't have much of a chance.
The numbers, both in the legislative party and the parliamentary party, the rebels commanded would have nullified the anti-defection law.
WHO IS MERGING WITH CONGRESS, ASKS TMC REBEL RITABRATA
However, Bengal LoP Ritabrata Banerjee, who rebelled from the party, threw a spanner amid the merger buzz. He claimed that 64 rebel MLAs and around 20 MPs would not support any move to merge the TMC with the Congress.
"The total number of TMC MLAs in the rebel camp has increased to 64," said Ritabrata Banerjee. On being asked about the chances of Mamata Banerjee merging the TMC with the Congress, Ritabrata said, "Our MLAs won't. There are 20 MPs who won't merge with the Congress, so who is merging? There is no question of such a merger with the Congress?"
So, what is her best option here to prevent the rebels from snatching from her the party she founded three decades ago after quitting Congress? It's a merger with the Congress, suggest many. That way, she might be able to fulfil her aspiration of getting to play a role in national politics, and secure some role for her nephew, Abhishek, who would have otherwise been a castaway.
Will Mamata, the forever streetfighter, actually end up merging her TMC with the Congress? Seems very unlikely given her fighting spirit. But this could be the only way out for her, given how embattled she is right now. Will she merge the TMC with…
Read the full article at India Today →📄Source document: Resignation statement by Jyoti Priya Mallick
12 reports
The HinduIndependentCenter2 days agoFormer West Bengal minister Jyoti Priya Mallick has resigned from all Trinamool Congress (TMC) organisational posts due to severe health issues, including high blood sugar levels and kidney ailments. Senior TMC leader Goutam Deb has also resigned as mayor of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation. Mallick cited his inability to continue with party responsibilities due to his declining health. This follows a recent organisational reshuffle by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, during which Mallick was inducted into the reconstituted working committee.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on resignations within the Trinamool Congress party without taking a stance or using biased language. It presents the reasons provided by the individuals involved and does not favor any particular political viewpoint.
Official sources cited
- organisation Resignation statement by Jyoti Priya Mallick
Times of IndiaIndependentCenter2 days agoHDFC Bank reportedly placed a debit freeze on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) account following a request from former West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas, who was under investigation for the 'Messigate' incident. Biswas submitted a letter to the bank seeking a freeze until competent authorities determined control of the party. This occurred after the TMC national working committee removed Biswas as treasurer and appointed Subhasish Chakraborty in his place. While a senior bank officer confirmed the freeze, a TMC representative denied the claim, calling it a baseless rumor.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the claim of a debit freeze by a bank officer and the denial by a TMC functionary without overtly favoring either side. It includes details from multiple perspectives and does not use loaded language or one-sided sourcing.
Official sources cited
- press release Letter from Aroop Biswas to HDFC Bank
- press release Statement from TMC functionary
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter3 days agoWest Bengal Police questioned former sports minister Aroop Biswas regarding the chaotic Lionel Messi event in December 2025. Biswas, who previously avoided media attention after the Trinamool Congress's electoral loss, stated he would cooperate with the investigation. The event organizer, Satadru Dutta, accused Biswas, TMC councillor Jui Biswas, and former police chief Rajeev Kumar of sabotage. The event was short-lived, lasting only 22 minutes, and led to public discontent. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized and removed Biswas from his position.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from both the police and Biswas, along with allegations from the event organizer. There is no clear editorializing or biased language that leans toward one political group or individual.
Official sources cited
- government West Bengal Police Statement
- government Statement by Aroop Biswas
- court Complaint by Satadru Dutta
Hindustan TimesIndependentLeft3 days ago 'Mamata Banerjee's longtime PSO removed, she won't accept replacement': TMC slams Suvendu AdhikariThe Trinamool Congress (TMC) criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for reportedly removing Mamata Banerjee's long-serving personal security officer (PSO). TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee stated that the removal showed Adhikari's 'vindictive attitude' toward the former minister. Mamata Banerjee reportedly refuses to accept the new PSO assigned to her, expressing greater trust in her previous officer. TMC MP Derek O'Brien shared footage suggesting that Mamata's residence lacked adequate security following the PSO's removal.
Bias read (Left): The article presents the situation through the lens of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is a left-leaning political party. The framing emphasizes the alleged 'vindictive attitude' of the current Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, and portrays the removal of Mamata Banerjee's PSO as an act of autcr
Official sources cited
- organisation TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee's statement
- organisation TMC MP Derek O'Brien's social media post
Scroll.inIndependentCenter3 days agoA Trinamool Congress leader, Aroop Biswas, wrote to HDFC Bank requesting a freeze on the party's account due to internal disputes over leadership and control. He cited concerns about unauthorized use of cheques and sought to maintain the status quo until the conflict was resolved. Biswas had been removed as treasurer following his loss in an assembly election.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring any side. It reports on the actions of a political figure and includes quotes from him, while also mentioning opposing claims within the party. There is no clear ideological slant in the language or sourcing.
Times of IndiaIndependentCenter3 days ago Mamata Banerjee sends back new guards assigned to herThe West Bengal government has replaced the personal security officers (PSOs) assigned to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has refused to accept the new personnel. Her party, Trinamool Congress, stated that she was left without official security at her Kalighat residence and arranged for two private guards. The state's directorate of security, responsible for protecting Banerjee, did not immediately comment. The situation arose after Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien posted on social media about the withdrawal of PSOs and the lack of security at her residence. O'Brien claimed he would stay駐
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on the change in security personnel and the response from Mamata Banerjee's party without taking a clear stance or using loaded terms.
Official sources cited
- organisation Trinamool Congress statement
The HinduIndependentLeft3 days ago Mamata takes to street against eviction of hawkers in W.B.Mamata Banerjee, leader of the Trinamool Congress and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, led a protest in Kolkata against the eviction of hawkers during an anti-encroachment drive. She was accompanied by party members and drew significant public support. The Trinamool Congress criticized the eviction drive as 'illegal, unjust and inhuman' and emphasized their commitment to protecting the rights and livelihoods of the affected workers.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the eviction drive negatively, using strong language such as 'illegal, unjust and inhuman,' which aligns with a left-leaning perspective. It highlights the actions of Mamata Banerjee and her party in opposition to the evictions without presenting counterarguments or alternative st
Official sources cited
- organisation Trinamool Congress social media post
NDTVIndependentLeft7 days agoThe Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, has seen a significant decline in its legislative strength, dropping from 215 MLAs to 20 within 40 days of the election results.
Bias read (Left): The article discusses the political downfall of Mamata Banerjee and her party, the Trinamool Congress, implying a negative trajectory for a prominent left-leaning leader. The framing suggests a critical perspective towards her leadership without providing balanced viewpoints or counterarguments.
NDTVIndependentCenter7 days ago More Trouble For Mamata Banerjee? Rebel Leader Revises StrengthThe article mentions that the rebel camp within the Trinamool Congress is led by MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who has been a close associate of Mamata Banerjee.
Bias read (Center): The article does not present any overtly biased language, framing, or emphasis. It simply states a fact about leadership within a political group without taking a stance or providing context that would indicate a particular ideological leaning.
Scroll.inIndependentCenter9 days ago FIR against Mamata Banerjee for allegedly hurting religious sentiments ahead of Bengal pollsThe Kolkata Police have registered a first information report (FIR) against Mamata Banerjee, leader of the Trinamool Congress and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, for allegedly making remarks that hurt religious sentiments. The FIR was filed based on a complaint from a Kolkata resident, who claimed that Banerjee had stated in March that 'if a particular community united, it could have dire consequences for others.' She has been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to promoting enmity, hatred, or disharmony between groups based on religion, race, language, or caste,
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details about the FIR registered against Mamata Banerjee without apparent bias. It includes quotes from official reports and does not exhibit loaded language or one-sided sourcing.
India TodayIndependentCenter11 days agoThe article discusses speculation that Mamata Banerjee, leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), may be considering merging her party with the Indian National Congress (Congress). It highlights recent events such as her extended stay in New Delhi, meetings between her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi, and her meeting with Sonia Gandhi. These developments have raised questions about whether Mamata is preparing for a 'ghar wapsi' (return home) to the Congress. However, the article notes that these remain unconfirmed rumors.
Bias read (Center): The article presents speculation without taking a clear stance or using biased language. It frames the situation as uncertain and does not favor either the possibility of a merger or its rejection. The tone remains neutral, focusing on reported events and unanswered questions.
The HinduIndependentCenter11 days ago West Bengal CID searches residence of Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool officeThe West Bengal CID conducted a search at the residence of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on June 9, 2026, related to an alleged forgery of signatures by two Trinamool Congress MLAs. The CID stated the search was for the party office located at the same address, while party officials argued it was a private residence. A party member opposed the entry, claiming neither Mamata nor her nephew Abhishek Banerjee were present.
Bias read (Center): The article reports events objectively without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from both the CID and Trinamool Congress officials, presenting their perspectives without apparent bias. There is no strong framing or loaded language indicating a clear ideological lean.
Official sources cited
- government West Bengal CID officials
- government Subhasish Chakraborty (TMC MP)
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