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Suspended TMC leader Riju Dutta claims over 50 of 80 MLAs met to form an “Asli Trinamool” faction, change Leader of Opposition, and that several MPs are in talks with BJP.
Former national spokesperson of Trinamool Congress Riju Dutta. (ANI photo)
Following a mass exodus from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the party’s suspended leader Riju Dutta on Monday made sensational claims about an alleged rebellion within the party, saying that a majority of its legislators had held a meeting and were considering forming a separate faction.
Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Dutta claimed that more than 50 of the party’s 80 MLAs met at the Gateway Hotel and were preparing to stake claim as the “real Trinamool”. According to him, the purported rebel group was planning to submit a fresh list to the Assembly Speaker and seek a change in the post of Leader of the Opposition.
Dutta Alleges Revolt by 50+ MLAs
“Now, Trinamool has 80 MLAs. Out of those 80 MLAs, a meeting of more than 50 legislators was held today afternoon at the Gateway Hotel. They are saying that they are the ‘real Trinamool’ and that they will submit a new list to the Speaker, stating that there will be a different Leader of the Opposition,” the former national spokesperson of the TMC said.
‘Real Trinamool’ Faction Claim Emerges
He further claimed that concerns over a possible split had prompted appeals from within the party. “I am telling you this much—these are not my words. Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh said at a press conference outside the Assembly that he was folding his hands and appealing to the Trinamool legislators who attended the meeting at the Gateway Hotel not to split the party,” he remarked.
TMC MPs ‘Exploring BJP Shift’: Dutta
Dutta also alleged that several TMC parliamentarians were exploring a shift to the BJP.
“There are 12 Lok Sabha MPs—I am giving you the exact numbers—and some Rajya Sabha MPs as well. In fact, 12 Lok Sabha MPs and 6 Rajya Sabha MPs have already made a ‘pencil booking’ with the BJP. As for the Trinamool MLAs, the BJP is not taking them right now, but they keep calling every day, saying, ‘Please take our booking, please take our booking.’ I am saying this openly.”
He further alleged that the legislators involved in the meeting were considering launching a separate outfit under a new banner.
“One more thing: these rebel MLAs who held the meeting want to name their faction ‘Asli Trinamool’ (Real Trinamool),” he further added.
There was no immediate response from the Trinamool Congress to Dutta’s claims.
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Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish…Read More
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