MPs Saayoni Ghosh and Sushmita Dev's Dramatic Exit Deepens Trinamool Crisis Amid Unprecedented Political Rebellion

Agencies and KalimNews, June 11, 2026, Kalimpong: Politics often changes course without warning, and the latest developments in West Bengal have once again demonstrated how quickly loyalties and political equations can shift. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the state's political landscape, Jadavpur Member of Parliament Saayoni Ghosh, once regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee’s most trusted and outspoken loyalists, has reportedly resigned from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and joined the Congress party.

According to sources, following her move, Ghosh was appointed to a senior position in the Women’s Congress. Reports indicate that while announcing her departure, she expressed deep dissatisfaction with her former party and stated that she no longer saw a political future within the TMC.

The development marks a stunning reversal for the 33-year-old politician, who until recently served as the president of the TMC youth wing and was considered one of the party’s most prominent young faces. Her departure comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress is facing one of the most severe internal crises in its history following its setback in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Only weeks ago, Ghosh had strongly defended Mamata Banerjee after the party’s electoral defeat. She publicly argued that the TMC had not truly been defeated by voters and alleged that irregularities had influenced the outcome. At that time, she vowed that the party would answer its critics through future electoral victories in the 2029 General Election and the 2031 West Bengal Assembly Election.

However, political developments appear to have dramatically altered her position. Reports suggest that Ghosh had become increasingly frustrated with the party leadership, feeling isolated during several campaign controversies and disappointed by what she viewed as a lack of support from senior leaders when she faced intense public criticism.

Her political transformation is particularly striking because she had repeatedly projected Mamata Banerjee as a national leader and future prime ministerial contender. Today, she is reportedly among a growing number of lawmakers who have distanced themselves from the Trinamool leadership.

The crisis within the party has now expanded beyond individual resignations. Reports indicate that as many as 19 Lok Sabha MPs have aligned themselves with a dissident bloc led by senior MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. Among the names linked to the rebel camp are Yusuf Pathan, Mala Roy, June Malia, Satabdi Roy, Rachana Banerjee, Kalipada Soren, Sharmila Sarkar, Asit Kumar Mal, Arup Chakraborty, Mitali Bag, Abu Taher Khan, Jagadish Chandra Basunia, Khairul Rehman, Bapi Haldar, Partha Bhowmick and several others.

The reported rebellion has significantly weakened the party’s parliamentary strength. The Trinamool Congress currently holds 28 Lok Sabha seats, with one seat vacant following the death of Basirhat MP Haji Nurul Islam. If the reported numbers are accurate, Mamata Banerjee’s effective support base in the Lok Sabha would be reduced to a small minority of MPs.

Adding to the turmoil, Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev resigned from both the Upper House and the Trinamool Congress. Her resignation came just days after former Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy also stepped down while making serious allegations against the party leadership. Following her resignation, Dev reportedly met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in New Delhi, further fuelling political speculation.

Sources indicate that the dissident MPs are not immediately planning to resign from the Trinamool Congress or formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Instead, they are expected to function as an independent parliamentary bloc while extending support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Political observers believe this strategy may be aimed at avoiding disqualification under India’s anti-defection provisions.

The rebel faction has reportedly informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about its intention to function as a separate parliamentary group under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. Sources claim that the dissidents may also argue that Dastidar continues to hold an important parliamentary position within the party structure, a contention that could become central to any future legal or procedural dispute.

Political drama intensified after reports emerged that several rebel leaders attended meetings in New Delhi, including one allegedly held at the residence of senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav. Photographs circulating in political circles reportedly showed a number of MPs and former party leaders together, further strengthening speculation about coordinated action against the TMC leadership.

The Trinamool Congress, however, has challenged several of these claims. Sources close to Mamata Banerjee have disputed the authenticity of the rebel list and insisted that some MPs whose names appeared on it remain loyal to the party. Senior leaders have maintained that prominent figures such as Shatrughan Sinha and actor-turned-politician Deepak Adhikari continue to support the Trinamool Congress and its leadership.

Beyond Parliament, the party is also confronting a major revolt within the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Reports suggest that a significant number of MLAs defied the leadership’s choice for the position of Leader of the Opposition and instead backed expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee. The parallel rebellions in both Parliament and the Assembly have raised serious questions about the future direction of the party and Mamata Banerjee’s ability to maintain organisational unity.

Saayoni Ghosh’s political journey has been one of the most remarkable stories in contemporary Bengal politics. Before entering public life, she established herself as a successful Bengali film actress, earning recognition for performances in films such as *Rajkahini* (2015), *Byomkesh O Chiriakhana* (2016), and *Aste Ladies* (2019).

She joined the Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections and was fielded from the Asansol Dakshin constituency against BJP leader Agnimitra Paul. Although she narrowly lost that contest, her energetic campaigning and outspoken political style quickly elevated her profile within the party.

Recognising her popularity among younger voters, the TMC appointed her as president of its youth wing. She became one of the party’s most visible campaigners, frequently delivering fiery speeches against political opponents and passionately defending Mamata Banerjee.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Ghosh contested from the prestigious Jadavpur constituency, a seat historically associated with Mamata Banerjee’s own political rise. Her victory transformed her into one of the youngest and most influential MPs in the party.

Throughout her political career, Ghosh consistently projected herself as a grassroots activist rather than a conventional politician. In earlier interviews, she emphasized her preference for direct public engagement and stated that her entry into politics was driven by a genuine desire to serve people rather than personal ambition. She also sought to challenge the perception that actors entering politics are not serious about public service.

During recent election campaigns, she attracted widespread attention for speeches promoting communal harmony and interfaith unity. Several of her campaign appearances went viral on social media, further enhancing her public profile.

Yet, despite her rapid rise within the Trinamool Congress, reports now suggest that personal dissatisfaction, political isolation, and frustration with the party leadership may have contributed to her dramatic change of course.

Whether Saayoni Ghosh’s departure proves to be an isolated case or signals a broader realignment in West Bengal politics remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Trinamool Congress is currently facing the most serious internal challenge since its formation. With rebellions unfolding simultaneously in Parliament and the State Assembly, and with several senior leaders distancing themselves from the organisation, the coming months could prove decisive not only for Mamata Banerjee’s political future but also for the future trajectory of West Bengal politics itself.