Trinamool Congress MP Pratima Mondal refuted claims of being part of a rebel group within the party aligning with the NDA. She clarified that her name was included without her consent and that she has no association with the alleged bloc. Mondal expressed support for party chief Mamata Banerjee’s efforts to strengthen opposition unity.
Mondal highlighted Banerjee’s recent meetings with senior opposition leaders in Delhi, emphasizing the unity of the alliance against the Centre. She suggested that Banerjee’s involvement could enhance the opposition’s prospects in the future. Mondal also acknowledged Banerjee’s political background in the Congress and viewed a potential merger positively.
Amid speculation of a split within the Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party, Congress dismissed the reports as rumors. The party had secured 28 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, with the effective count now at 27 due to a vacant seat. Reports indicate around 20 MPs considering distancing themselves from the party’s leadership to form a separate group supporting the NDA.
The dissident group, reportedly backed by about 20 MPs, aims to function independently in Parliament, backing the NDA on legislative matters. This move could impact parliamentary arithmetic, potentially bolstering the ruling alliance’s position on crucial Bills. Not intending to merge with the BJP, the group could influence legislative proposals related to delimitation, women’s reservation, simultaneous elections, and Union Territories laws.
