TMC Crisis Live: Mamata Banerjee returns to Kolkata after two-day Delhi visit as speculation over TMC-Congress merger intensifies

Kolkata is abuzz following TMC chief Mamata Banerjee return from a two-day Delhi visit, where she met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi amidst intense speculation of a potential TMC-Congress merger. However, the anticipated political realignment has been swiftly dismissed as 'baseless rumours' by both parties, even as the Trinamool Congress grapples with a burgeoning internal rebellion that now threatens its legislative and parliamentary strength. This immediate refutation sets a stark reality check against the backdrop of a party in deep crisis following its decisive defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. This isn't merely political theatre; the stakes are existential for the TMC and significant for India's opposition landscape. Following its rout in the 2026 state polls, a substantial faction of 58 out of 80 TMC MLAs has rebelled, forming a separate group and appointing Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. Simultaneously, the party is haemorrhaging support in Parliament, with reports indicating around 20 Lok Sabha MPs are poised to align with the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, a move that would decimate TMC national presence and potentially alter the balance of power in the lower house. Further compounding the turmoil, key Rajya Sabha MPs like Sushmita Dev and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray have resigned, citing dissatisfaction, while the West Bengal CID launched searches at the TMC headquarters and Mamata Banerjee residence in connection with alleged forged signatures during her Delhi visit. The immediate aftermath will test Mamata Banerjee legendary political resilience. Observers will be scrutinising whether the INDIA bloc can leverage these high-profile meetings into genuine, strengthened coordination, or if the TMC internal implosion will further fragment the opposition's already shaky unity ahead of future electoral battles. The BJP, meanwhile, stands poised to capitalise on the disarray, eyeing gains in both West Bengal and the national legislative arena. The unfolding saga underscores a pivotal moment for regional parties and the broader anti-BJP coalition, with the political landscape of 2029 potentially shaped by these immediate tremors.