How Saayoni Ghosh went from Mamata's firebrand MP to govt defender in Parliament
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saayoni Ghosh, once among the fiercest critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, is set to speak in support
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saayoni Ghosh, once among the fiercest critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, is set to speak in support of the Centre's anti-paper leak bill in Parliament, marking a dramatic shift in her political stance following her exit from the Mamata Banerjee-led party Ghosh, who joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after rebelling against Mamata Banerjee following the TMC's drubbing in the Bengal Assembly polls in April, has emerged as one of the government's most vocal defenders during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Read Full Story The Centre has nominated Ghosh to participate in Tuesday's debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, making her one of the key speakers expected to defend the proposed legislation after opposition protests stalled debate in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Ghosh accused the opposition of avoiding a discussion on an issue affecting millions of students. "Even after he (e Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan) resigned, the opposition is still shying away from discussion. Every day, every minute of the house is precious. The youth and students of the country should know what this new Bill contains and what reforms we want to bring." She said Parliament should be a forum for constructive debate rather than political confrontation. "The opposition should criticise, discuss and have a constructive debate. If they have any suggestions, they should offer them. Parliament, the House and the government should implement them. That is the image of a healthy democracy. However, the opposition is shying away from discussion.
They are merely playing politics." The remarks mark a sharp departure from Ghosh's position until just a few months ago. Elected from West Bengal's Jadavpur constituency on a TMC ticket in 2024, the actor-turned-politician built her political identity as one of the party's most articulate young parliamentarians. Her speeches, often delivered in Bengali, Hindi and English and laced with poetry and cultural references, frequently went viral on social media. During the Budget Session earlier this year, she had launched blistering attacks on the Centre, declaring, "We fight you with the Constitution in our hands; we do not have swords in our hands." In another widely shared speech, she described the Constitution as "our Bhagavad Gita", saying Parliament was a temple for both the government and the opposition.
The BriefWire