Kolkata, 10 June (H.S.): Amid the continuing political churn in West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition and head of the newly formed Trinamool legislative group, Ritabrata Banerjee, on Wednesday claimed that more than 64 MLAs are now backing his camp and asserted that the number is still growing. Dismissing speculation about a possible merger with the Congress, he maintained that his faction represents the “real Trinamool Congress” and has no intention of joining any other party.

Speaking to reporters outside the West Bengal Assembly, Banerjee said, “We are the Trinamool Congress. We are not merging with anyone. The number of MLAs supporting us has already crossed 64. Tomorrow, it may become 65. Naturally, we are the Trinamool. Who is meeting whom is not for us to comment on, but I can say with responsibility that we are not merging with the Congress.”

The claim comes weeks after the formation of the new Trinamool legislative group in the Assembly, which was launched with the signatures of 59 MLAs out of the party’s 80-member strength. Banerjee asserted that support for his faction has continued to expand and that another MLA is expected to join the group shortly.

He further claimed that the resistance to a Congress merger extends beyond the Assembly. According to Banerjee, a majority of the party’s MPs are also opposed to any such move.

“I have spoken to several MPs, and they have told me that they are not joining the Congress either. The majority of MPs and MLAs are against any merger. Representatives in district councils and municipal bodies are also with us,” he said.

The developments come amid a series of high-profile exits from the Trinamool Congress. Earlier this week, Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy resigned from the party. On Wednesday, former Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev also stepped down from all party posts, fuelling speculation that more leaders could distance themselves from the organisation in the coming days.

Political circles are also abuzz with reports regarding the party’s parliamentary strength. According to claims being circulated within political circles, a significant section of Trinamool’s Lok Sabha MPs is no longer aligned with the original leadership. It is being claimed that 20 MPs have already extended support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while the position of several others remains uncertain.

Against this backdrop, questions are increasingly being raised about the organisational future, leadership structure and political direction of the Trinamool Congress. However, Banerjee sought to project confidence, insisting that his faction enjoys majority support within the party’s legislative wing and remains firmly opposed to any merger with the Congress.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh