Saumitra Khan claims TMC's 20 MPs, 50 MLAs ready to switch BJP
Kolkata: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Saumitra Khan has made a sensational claim, alleging that nearly 20 MPs and 50 MLAs from the All India Trinamool Congress are in touch with the BJP and are ready to switch sides if the party leadership gives approval.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Khan claimed that growing dissatisfaction within the Trinamool Congress was pushing several leaders towards the BJP camp.
“Twenty TMC MPs are in touch with us. If the party leadership wants, they are ready to switch sides. If the BJP wants, the entire TMC will wind up in the next few days,” Khan said.
However, the BJP leader did not reveal the identities of the MPs or MLAs allegedly communicating with the party.
‘TMC MPs unhappy within party’
Khan alleged that a section of TMC MPs is deeply unhappy with the current functioning of the party and has been maintaining regular contact with BJP leaders. His remarks have triggered fresh political speculation in West Bengal, especially amid reports of internal discontent within the ruling party.
At present, the TMC holds 29 of West Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha seats, while the BJP has 12 MPs and the Congress has one.
The claims have also reignited discussions around the anti-defection law. Under the law, at least two-thirds of members of a parliamentary party must defect together to avoid disqualification. In the case of the TMC, nearly 19 to 20 MPs would need to switch simultaneously for such a move to be legally protected.
TMC rejects claims as ‘baseless’
Strongly rejecting the allegations, senior TMC MP Sougata Roy dismissed Khan’s statement as “bogus” and politically motivated.
“It is absolutely bogus what the BJP and Saumitra Khan are feeding to reporters. Nothing of this sort will happen,” Roy said.
Political tensions rise in Bengal
The political buzz comes amid visible signs of unease within the TMC, with several party leaders and legislators publicly expressing dissatisfaction in recent weeks.
Ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, several prominent TMC leaders had joined the BJP. However, many later returned to the Mamata Banerjee-led party after the TMC retained power in the state.
Now, Khan’s latest remarks have once again intensified speculation over possible political realignments in West Bengal ahead of future electoral battles involving Mamata Banerjee and the BJP leadership.
