Amid the deepening political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior Congress leader K. C. Venugopal has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to weaken and dismantle opposition parties through "undemocratic methods."
Reacting to the ongoing rebellion within the TMC, where a group of dissident MPs has expressed support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Venugopal alleged that the BJP has been systematically targeting opposition parties across the country by misusing central agencies and political influence. He claimed that the developments in West Bengal are part of a broader strategy aimed at destabilizing opposition forces rather than defeating them through democratic competition.
The Congress leader's remarks come at a time when the TMC is facing one of its biggest internal challenges. Around 20 rebel TMC MPs have reportedly indicated their willingness to support the NDA, triggering intense political speculation and raising questions about the future of the party's parliamentary strength.
Venugopal said that opposition parties have repeatedly faced similar situations in several states and accused the BJP of using institutions and investigative agencies to pressure political rivals. According to him, such tactics are harmful to democratic values and undermine the mandate given by voters.
His comments echo concerns raised by several opposition leaders in recent days. Leaders from different parties have alleged that the BJP has previously encouraged splits within rival political formations, including regional parties, to consolidate its political influence.
Meanwhile, the TMC leadership is attempting to contain the damage caused by the rebellion. Senior leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have been engaged in consultations with allies and party MPs as efforts continue to prevent further defections. Reports suggest that the party is exploring both political and legal options to deal with the crisis.
The BJP, however, has rejected allegations of engineering the revolt. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya has stated that the rebel MPs made their own decisions and that the BJP did not orchestrate the developments within the TMC. He described the rebellion as an internal matter of the Trinamool Congress.
As political tensions continue to rise, the TMC crisis has become a major talking point within the opposition camp, with parties viewing the developments as a test of opposition unity ahead of future political battles.
