Holding the flock together: Mamata reaches out to rebels as TMC battles further fragmentation

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Former West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee. | Photo Credit: ANI

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has launched efforts to prevent further exodus from the party following the first split in its 28-year history, personally reaching out to rebel legislators even as senior leaders work to hold together the flock that appears increasingly restless after the post-poll rupture.

Sources in the party said Ms. Banerjee has over the past two days spoken to several MLAs from Howrah, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur, many of whom were seen attending meetings of the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel camp after 58 legislators seized control of the TMC legislature party and installed the expelled MLA as the leader of the opposition.

The calls come at a time when the TMC founder finds herself in the unfamiliar position of fighting to retain leaders she had once handpicked and politically nurtured.

"She is speaking to legislators individually and asking them to attend a meeting at Kalighat on Friday (June 5,2026). The effort is to keep communication channels open and explore the possibility of reconciliation," a senior TMC leader said.

According to party insiders, parallel damage-control exercises are underway in Parliament as well.

Two trusted TMC MPs — one each from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — have reportedly been tasked with contacting party colleagues and persuading them not to abandon the organisation for the "new Trinamool" being built by the Ritabrata Banerjee camp.

The outreach reflects growing concern within the remaining TMC leadership that the Assembly rebellion could spill over into Parliament and local bodies if not contained quickly.

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The developments underline the extraordinary reversal confronting Ms. Banerjee, who built the TMC in 1998 as a one-woman political movement and kept it largely free of serious internal rebellions for nearly three decades.

While t