The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalated further on Monday as rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar issued a strong message of defiance amid the party's growing internal turmoil. Declaring, “Mera sar katega lekin jhukega nahi” (My head may be cut off, but I will not bow), the four-time MP said she would not succumb to political pressure and stood by her decision to break ranks with the party leadership.
Dastidar, who has emerged as the face of the rebellion in Parliament, claimed that a group of 20 TMC MPs has approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary bloc that would support the BJP-led NDA. According to her, the move reflects the sentiments of a large section of TMC parliamentarians following the party's recent political setbacks.
Explaining her decision, Dastidar cited what she described as growing lawlessness, rising unemployment, and governance concerns in West Bengal. She argued that the current political situation required leaders to place “national interest” above party loyalty and said she could no longer remain silent on issues affecting the people of the state.
The rebellion comes after weeks of tension within the party. Dastidar had earlier resigned from several organizational posts in the TMC and publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the party's functioning. She had also raised concerns about the increasing influence of political consultants and what she termed the “criminalisation” of the party structure.
The rebel camp claims it has the support of 20 out of TMC's 28 Lok Sabha MPs, a figure that would be politically significant because it crosses the two-thirds threshold often discussed in anti-defection matters. However, TMC loyalists have disputed these numbers and accused the dissidents of attempting to destabilize the party.
The developments have unfolded as TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee remain engaged in efforts to contain the crisis. Political observers describe the ongoing revolt as the most serious internal challenge faced by the party in its 28-year history.
With the battle now extending from the West Bengal Assembly to Parliament, the coming days are expected to determine whether the rebellion evolves into a formal split or remains a high-stakes internal power struggle. For now, Dastidar's dramatic declaration has become the defining slogan of the rebel camp's challenge to the TMC leadership.
