TMC Split Deepens Bengal Crisis as BJP Gains Edge in Rajya Sabha Battle

The internal split in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has reshaped West Bengal’s political landscape, affecting both the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls and the larger battle over control of the party before the Election Commission .

The three Rajya Sabha seats, going to polls on July 24 , fell vacant after former TMC members Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House and the party following differences with the leadership after the Assembly election defeat.

The BJP’s 207 MLAs in the 294-member Assembly have placed it in a strong position to win the seats. Before the TMC split, the opposition could have secured one seat, but the division between the Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee factions has changed the arithmetic.

The Ritabrata camp claims support from around 65 MLAs , while the Mamata faction has about 15 legislators. With nearly 70 first-preference votes required to win a Rajya Sabha seat, neither faction can independently secure victory, giving the BJP an opportunity for a possible sweep. Meanwhile, both factions are fighting before the Election Commission over control of the TMC, including its name, symbol and organisational authority. The Mamata-led faction has rejected the rebel claim that party committees expired in 2025, arguing that the AITC organisational bodies remain valid until 2027 under the party constitution.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said the party’s 2022 organisational elections extended the tenure of committees for five years and accused the rebel faction of violating party rules by holding a separate organisational meeting without following constitutional procedures.

The Mamata camp also questioned the rebels’ claim, pointing out that they contested the 2026 Assembly elections on the TMC symbol , indicating acceptance of the party structure. The rebel faction, however, argues that its challenge reflects a deeper leadership crisis within the party. The dispute over party recognition, anti-defection rules and organisational control could have major consequences for Bengal politics. While the Election Commission examines both sides’ claims, the TMC split has already weakened the opposition and strengthened the BJP’s position ahead of the Rajya Sabha contest.