Krishnagar MP dismisses BJP’s claim of 20 defectors, says anti-defection law renders rebel bloc politically irrelevant
New Delhi, June 10, 2026: Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra has dismissed the ongoing wave of defections from her party as a welcome internal cleansing, while firmly rejecting BJP’s claims of holding 20 rebel MPs.
Following Sushmita Dev’s resignation from the Rajya Sabha, Moitra said the party is better off without those who rode on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s loyalty for 15 years without delivering.
On the rebellion’s legal weight, she was categorical for anti-defection provisions to apply, two-thirds of the entire political party, not just the legislative unit, must merge with another. That threshold, she argued, remains far out of reach.
Moitra notably expressed personal respect for Suvendu Adhikari, calling his exit transparent and principled compared to current rebels who, she said, lacked the courage to quit before the 2026 elections.
On nepotism allegations against Abhishek Banerjee, she acknowledged his initial advantage but credited his 12-year organisational track record as sufficient vindication.
“We are essentially anti-BJP. We will never leave her,” Moitra stated firmly.
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