After MLA Ritabrata Banerjee staked claim as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly with the support of 58 lawmakers, senior Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has emerged as the face of a fresh revolt in Parliament.

The development comes as Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee attended the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, even as a section of the party's MPs signalled support for the BJP-led NDA.

Kakoli Ghosh claims support of 20 TMC MPs

Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar who is leading the rebel faction said the group has decided to write to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla declaring support for the NDA.

Ghosh Dastidar claimed that 20 MPs of the party have decided to write to the Speaker. "Nearly twenty TMC MPs, including me, have decided to write to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and formally support the NDA," she told PTI. "We have accepted the people's verdict and believe that our future political course should be aligned with the NDA," Ghosh Dastidar said.

This move is likely to increase problems within the TMC, which has been facing internal disagreements since its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.

MLA Madan Mitra takes 'wait-and-watch' approach

Veteran TMC leader and MLA Madan Mitra adopted a cautious stance on the unfolding developments. "Let's see. The ball has started rolling. Let us see how long it will go…" Mitra said.

On Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar's actions, he added, "Whatever she has to do, she is doing. Kakoli acts according to her own will; she is doing what she chooses. I am not Kakoli, so how can I answer for her? That is a matter concerning Kakoli…"

Who is Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar?

A four-time Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal's Barasat constituency, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is a medical doctor-turned-politician who has long been regarded as one of TMC's most prominent women leaders.

Born in Kolkata in 1959, she earned her medical degree from RG Kar Medical College before undergoing postgraduate training in obstetric ultrasound at King's College London. Before entering politics, she was associated with healthcare and social welfare initiatives in West Bengal.

She entered Parliament in 2009 after winning the Barasat Lok Sabha seat and has retained the constituency in every subsequent election. Over the years, she served as TMC's chief whip in the Lok Sabha and was also a member of the Panel of Chairpersons.

From trusted lieutenant to rebel leader

For much of her political career, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar was considered a close confidante of Mamata Banerjee and a key parliamentary voice of the TMC. However, differences with the party leadership became increasingly visible following the party's electoral setback in 2026.

The rift widened after she resigned from key organisational posts, citing concerns over alleged lawlessness, unemployment and corruption in West Bengal, along with dissatisfaction over the party's internal functioning.

Her dispute with senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee further exposed tensions within the party after she accused him of verbal abuse and misogynistic remarks in a complaint to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Leading the parliamentary rebellion

Dastidar is now spearheading a breakaway group of TMC MPs seeking recognition as a separate bloc in Parliament. The rebels are expected to seek separate seating arrangements and have indicated their willingness to support the NDA on key parliamentary matters.

Unlike many previous dissidents, Dastidar remains one of the TMC's most recognisable leaders. Her decision to lead the revolt has transformed what may have been viewed as a limited defection into a major challenge to Mamata Banerjee's authority, raising fresh questions about the party's unity and future political direction.