TMC Faces Deepening Crisis Amid Revolts and Arrests
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is confronting one of the gravest crises in its political history after two major setbacks struck the party within days. TMC strongman Jahangir “Pushpa” Khan was arrested near the Nepal border after weeks in hiding, while senior leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray resigned from both the party and the Rajya Sabha, openly praising the BJP and criticizing the TMC’s internal functioning. The developments have intensified speculation that Mamata Banerjee’s hold over the party is steadily weakening following the BJP’s sweeping victory in West Bengal.
Electoral Collapse Triggered Internal Unrest
The crisis began after the BJP’s landslide win in West Bengal on May 4, 2026, a result that dramatically altered the state’s political landscape. Mamata Banerjee herself lost in her constituency, while 22 out of 35 ministers in her cabinet were defeated. The scale of the electoral collapse exposed deep dissatisfaction within the party and triggered open rebellion among legislators.
Within weeks, nearly 60 out of 80 TMC MLAs reportedly formed a separate bloc seeking recognition, effectively challenging Banerjee’s authority over the legislature party. The revolt marked the most serious organizational setback for the TMC since its formation nearly three decades ago.
Jahangir “Pushpa” Khan Arrested Near Nepal Border
The party’s troubles deepened with the arrest of Jahangir Khan, a controversial TMC leader popularly known as “Pushpa” Khan had gained attention during the election campaign after declaring, “If he is Singham, then I am Pushpa,” in reference to police officer Ajay Pal Sharma.
Khan had been absconding since the Calcutta High Court refused to extend his interim protection in multiple criminal cases. Bengal’s Special Task Force eventually arrested him near the Nepal border while he was allegedly attempting to flee the country.
He faces several FIRs, including allegations of tampering with Electronic Voting Machines by placing tapes over BJP symbols in South 24 Parganas. The Falta Assembly constituency, where Khan contested, later witnessed repolling after the Election Commission cited irregularities and complaints.
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray’s Exit Signals Bigger Trouble
If Khan’s arrest damaged the party’s public image, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray’s resignation struck at its political core. A senior Rajya Sabha MP and one of the TMC’s longest-serving parliamentary faces, Ray resigned from both Parliament and the party after more than a decade.
In public remarks following his exit, Ray suggested that several TMC MPs were considering rebellion, similar to the revolt among MLAs. He described the current turmoil as “unprecedented in West Bengal politics.”
Ray blamed the crisis on centralized leadership and the absence of internal democratic discussion within the party. According to him, grassroots leaders repeatedly warned that public support was eroding, but there was no institutional mechanism for feedback or course correction.
Signs of a Wider Political Fragmentation
The TMC’s troubles are no longer limited to isolated defections. Senior figures such as Manoj Tiwary and MP Dev have also reportedly voiced concerns over corruption, neglect and leadership disconnect. The simultaneous loss of ministers, MLAs and senior MPs points to a broader organizational breakdown.
Mounting Defections Deepen TMC’s Leadership Crisis
The Trinamool Congress is now battling a dual crisis of political rebellion and reputational damage. While Jahangir Khan’s arrest has revived allegations surrounding controversial figures within the party, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray’s resignation signals that dissent has reached the parliamentary level. With key leaders leaving, internal revolts growing and electoral setbacks mounting, Mamata Banerjee faces perhaps the toughest challenge to her leadership since the TMC’s rise to power.
(With agency inputs)
