The West Bengal government has heightened security for five Trinamool Congress MLAs from Birbhum district who backed Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. The MLAs receiving increased security include Birbhum Zilla Parishad President and Hansan MLA Fayezul Haque (Kajal Sheikh), Nalhati MLA Rajendra Prasad Singh, Murarai MLA Mosharraf Hossain, former minister and Bolpur MLA Chandranath Sinha, and Nanoor MLA Bidhan Chandra Majhi. These legislators defied party instructions by supporting Banerjee, prompting concerns about their safety.
The state government’s move to provide each MLA with two additional armed security guards follows their decision to back Banerjee. This action is perceived as a strategic effort to bolster the dissenting faction within the Trinamool Congress’ Legislative Party. Reports suggest that this internal division is deepening, with speculations rife that the dissent could extend to Delhi soon. There are indications that a significant split within the Parliamentary party might occur, with a considerable number of Trinamool Lok Sabha members reportedly expressing discontent with the leadership.
Sources within the party reveal the emergence of a faction termed the ‘good Trinamool’ group under Banerjee’s leadership in West Bengal, hinting at a potential ripple effect in the national capital. Senior MP Kakali Ghosh Dastidar is speculated to lead a similar rebellion. Recently, Dastidar lodged a complaint against fellow party MP Kalyan Banerjee, accusing him of verbal harassment and disrespectful behavior inside the Lok Sabha.
