New Delhi, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday staged a protest on the Parliament premises against party MPs who have reportedly broken ranks with the Trinamool Congress, accusing them of betraying the mandate of the people of West Bengal.
Carrying placards displaying photographs of the dissident lawmakers, Banerjee described them as “traitors” and alleged that they had abandoned the party after being elected on its ticket.
Speaking to reporters, Banerjee said the people of West Bengal would judge the rebel MPs for their actions. Referring to the lawmakers whose photographs appeared on the placards, he claimed they had betrayed the trust reposed in them by voters.
The Trinamool MP also reacted to his suspension from the ongoing Parliament session, alleging that the action was politically motivated.
“I have been suspended because hearing my voice would cause discomfort to the 20 traitors present there. These allegations against me are false. I do not know what crime I have committed,” he said.
Questioning the procedure adopted in the matter, Banerjee said he had not been given an opportunity to be heard before the action was taken, while acknowledging the Speaker’s authority to act.
During the protest, Banerjee briefly interacted with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who examined the placards and exchanged a few remarks with him. Banerjee also complimented Priyanka Gandhi on her speech in Parliament, to which she responded with thanks.
According to Banerjee, 20 of the Trinamool Congress’ 28 Lok Sabha MPs have formed a separate group under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and have reportedly aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) while extending support to the NDA.
He said the Trinamool Congress has already filed a petition seeking action against the rebel MPs under the anti-defection law and expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in its disposal.
The list of MPs named by Banerjee included Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Rachna Banerjee, Jagadish Chandra Barma, Partha Bhowmick, Arup Chakraborty, Deepak Adhikari, Sayani Ghosh, Bapi Haldar, Abu Taher Khan, Kalipada Saren Kherwal, Asit Kumar and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, among others.
The conversation later turned to the political relationship between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress. Priyanka Gandhi remarked that some leaders had moved from the Congress to the Trinamool Congress before eventually joining the BJP.
In response, Banerjee recalled his own association with the Congress and claimed that Mamata Banerjee had been compelled to leave the party in 1997. Priyanka Gandhi, however, said former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had held Mamata Banerjee in high regard.
Banerjee agreed, saying Rajiv Gandhi respected the Trinamool Congress chief but maintained that the Congress’ subsequent political alignment with the CPI(M) had led to differences.
Banerjee continued interacting with reporters after the exchange, reiterating his allegation that the rebel MPs had betrayed the party and its supporters.
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