Rebel TMC MLAs Meet Chief Minister; Ritabrata Banerjee Claims Support of 64 Legislators

MP, June 11, 2026, Kolkata: Many Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs belonging to the rebel camp led by the Opposition Leader, Ritabrata Banerjee, on Wednesday morning met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in a hotel adjacent to Kolkata airport.

None of the rebel TMC MLAs divulged any details of the meeting.

Chief Minister Adhikari met the rebel MLAs of TMC before flying to Delhi.

TMC MLAs Rathin Ghosh and Javed Khan were also present in the meeting.

When the TMC MLAs, including Rathin Ghosh (Madhyamgram MLA), were asked about the minutes of the meeting by the media, they maintained silence.

Later in the day, Ritabrata Banerjee, however, claimed that the strength of the dissident bloc had risen from 58 to 64 MLAs, adding that rebels enjoyed the support of a majority of the party’s legislators and a growing number of MPs, and would continue to function under the Trinamool Congress banner.

After TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s meetings with the Congress leadership in Delhi fuelled fresh speculation about the future of her embattled faction, rebel leader Ritabrata claimed ownership of the Trinamool Congress itself, declaring that the dissident camp was the “real TMC” and had no plans to merge with the grand old party.

“We are the real Trinamool Congress. We are not merging with the Congress,” Ritabrata told reporters outside the state assembly.

The TMC’s organisational crisis reached a new height earlier this week when a rebellion that had first fractured its ranks in the West Bengal Assembly spread to Parliament.

“The number of MLAs with us has already crossed 64. It may become 65 tomorrow when another MLA joins us. Naturally, we are the real Trinamool Congress. Who meets whom in Delhi is their matter and is immaterial for us,” Ritabrata added.

He further stated: “Most legislators are not merging with the Congress. Most MPs are not merging with the Congress. Many district leaders and local body representatives are also not merging with the Congress. Then, where is the question of a merger?”