Bandyopadhyay, joined by rebel TMC MP Shatabdi Roy, visited the BJP leader’s residence on Motilal Nehru Marg for their discussions in the afternoon.
This development follows statements from dissident TMC MPs declaring their intention to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to claim recognition as the “real TMC,” after the party’s dismal performance in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
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On Friday, rebel MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia asserted that 19 of the party’s 28 Lok Sabha members are already supporting this faction. Kakoli Ghosh Dasdidar, the leader of the rebel group, announced that once recognized, they would extend support to the BJP-led NDA within Parliament.
Political analysts consider the meeting between Bandyopadhyay and Yadav significant, not only due to the individuals involved but also because of the broader implications of this encounter.
Bandyopadhyay, representing the esteemed Kolkata Uttar constituency, is one of TMC’s most senior parliamentarians and has long been viewed as a crucial link between party leadership and the political landscape in Delhi.
Any interaction between him and a senior BJP strategist is expected to be examined carefully for indications of the future of West Bengal politics, particularly concerning the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC’s prospects in the state.
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A faction comprising 64 out of 80 TMC MLAs has already splintered from the party in the state Assembly and received recognition from Speaker Rathindra Bose, with Ritabrata Banerjee appointed as the Leader of the Opposition. However, this recognition has been contested by the Mamata-led faction in the Calcutta High Court, where the case is still being deliberated.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh promptly criticized Bandyopadhyay’s actions, attributing the party’s loss of significant leaders to his “ambition for power and position.”
”Effective leaders like Tapas Roy and Sajal Ghosh departed because of Sudip da’s personal insecurities and his aspirations within the party. I was previously suspended for voicing my concerns against him and supporting seasoned leaders like Tapas da. It’s time for the leadership to understand the character of those they chose to endorse,” Ghosh remarked.
Tapas Roy has been appointed as the industries minister in the new Suvendu Adhikari cabinet, while Sajal Ghosh secured his position as an MLA from Baranagar in north Kolkata, where he defeated TMC’s high-profile candidate, actor Sayantika Banerjee, in the Assembly elections.
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Earlier this week, after the CID raided Mamata Banerjee’s residence, I received a call from Sudip da inquiring about my whereabouts. When I informed him that I was at Didi’s place, he mentioned that his wife Nayna (a TMC MLA) would be arriving shortly. I waited, but she never showed up. Instead, Sudip da has now aligned himself with the BJP,” Ghosh quipped.
BJP minister Tapas Roy labeled Bandyopadhyay and Shatabdi Roy as a “liability” for the TMC.
”In their quest for self-preservation, they have consistently aligned themselves with those in power. They have contributed nothing to the public or any political party. Mamata Banerjee is now beginning to recognize who truly supports her. For the sake of such individuals, many genuine political workers were disrespected and marginalized. What is transpiring is ultimately for the best,” Roy communicated to the press.
