'Rebel TMC MPs Want To Join BJP, But Doors Closed': Shantanu Thakur As Trinamool Cries Operation Lotus

Published 14 June 2026 · local

'Rebel TMC MPs Want To Join BJP, But Doors Closed': Shantanu Thakur As Trinamool Cries Operation Lotus Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 10:58

'Rebel TMC MPs Want To Join BJP, But Doors Closed': Shantanu Thakur As Trinamool Cries Operation Lotus Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 10:58 IST The political uncertainty intensified after senior TMC leader and si time MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay met BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi on Saturday. Shantanu Thakur Predicts TMC's End as Rebel Camp Gains Momentum Amid the growing crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Union Minister Shantanu Thakur claimed on Saturday that the party’s future was in doubt as rebellion continued to spread among its MPs and legislators. “In the coming times, the TMC party won’t remain," Thakur said. Referring to leaders reportedly looking for political alternatives, he added, “These people want to join the BJP, but the doors of the BJP are closed." Commenting on the police action at the residence of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Thakur said, “Whatever negative actions have taken place, the ED will take action against them." Sudip Bandyopadhyay meets BJP leader in Delhi The political uncertainty intensified after senior TMC leader and si time MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay met BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi on Saturday. Bandyopadhyay was accompanied by dissident MP Satabdi Roy during the meeting.

The meeting has fuelled speculation that another Lok Sabha MP could join the rebel group that is challenging the TMC leadership. The development comes ahead of a possible meeting between the dissident MPs and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, where they are expected to seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group. TMC reshuffles party posts Hours after the meeting in Delhi, the TMC removed Bandyopadhyay from the post of North Kolkata organisational district president. He was replaced by party state spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. The party also replaced TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh as president of the state youth congress, appointing Arnab Banerjee in her place. In another setback for the party, former minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia resigned from the TMC later in the night. Reacting to the crisis, TMC MP Saugata Roy said, “This is part of the BJP’s ongoing Operation Lotus. They tempted and threatened the TMC people. Those who are weak—those lacking principles or whose convictions aren’t solid—have left. The BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’—which goes against Indian democracy—has met with some success… They (rebel MPs) lack faith, which is why they are leaving. I don’t know if the BJP will take them in or not. Nothing has been decided yet.