TMC Not Merging With Congress, Says Ritabrata Banerjee After Mamata-Sonia Meeting

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee has firmly rejected speculation about any merger between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rebel faction and the Congress, insisting.

That neither the group’s legislators nor its Members of Parliament are considering such a move. Speaking amid growing political uncertainty in West Bengal, Banerjee claimed that the rebel camp currently enjoys the support of 64 MLAs and remains committed to functioning independently.

“The count is currently 64. These MLAs will submit a letter to the Speaker. As far as our legislative party is concerned, we are certainly not joining the Congress,” Banerjee said.

He further asserted that a majority of rebel TMC MPs were also opposed to any merger or alignment with the Congress.

“More than two-thirds of our MPs are not merging with the Congress either. So, who is merging with whom? As far as we are concerned, the MPs aren’t going, we aren’t going, the municipal representatives aren’t going, the Zilla Parishad members aren’t going and the Panchayat members aren’t going. There is no question of a merger at all,” he said.

His remarks come amid heightened speculation following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent meeting with Congress leaders in New Delhi and her participation in discussions involving INDIA bloc partners.

Adding to the debate, suspended TMC leader Riju Dutta also questioned reports suggesting a merger was on the cards. In a post on social media, he argued that the numbers being cited by the rebel camp left little basis for such speculation.

The statements underline the deepening divisions within the TMC following the party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The setback triggered an unprecedented rebellion, with a section of legislators openly challenging the party leadership and backing Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition instead of the TMC’s official choice.

The split has extended beyond the Assembly. A group of rebel MPs has already informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about the formation of a separate parliamentary bloc led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, while some members have publicly expressed support for the NDA.

The turbulence has also affected the party’s presence in the Rajya Sabha, with senior leaders Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev stepping down from both the Upper House and the party.

As the internal crisis continues to unfold, the rebel faction appears keen to project itself as an independent political force rather than a group seeking refuge in the Congress. Banerjee’s latest remarks are likely to further intensify the battle for control and legitimacy within a party facing one of the most challenging phases in its history.