'Operation Lotus has failed': Kirti Azad dismisses attempts to split TMC

Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad on Friday alleged that the BJP was attempting to engineer defections within the party through what he described as "Operation Lotus," but claimed that the effort had failed. His remarks came amid continuing unrest within the Trinamool Congress following the party's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections and reports of dissidence among legislators and parliamentarians.

In a social media post, Azad cited the resignation of Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik, meetings between dissident Trinamool MPs and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's visit to the residence of Lok Sabha MP Shatabdi Roy as indications of what he called an organised attempt to weaken the party. He alleged that the operation was being conducted under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah but asserted that it had not succeeded.

Amid the political developments, a purported list containing the names and signatures of 19 Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MPs circulated online. Although the alleged letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was not publicly available, dissident leaders claimed that the document reflected support for their campaign. The list reportedly included Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Shatabdi Roy, Bapi Halder, Sharmila Sarkar, Prasun Bandyopadhyay, Jagadish Barma Basunia, Asit Kumar Mal, Arup Chakraborty, Rachana Banerjee, Saayoni Ghosh, Khalilur Rahaman, Abu Taher Khan, Yusuf Pathan, Mitali Bag, Mala Roy, Kalipada Soren, Deepak Adhikari, June Malia and Partha Bhowmick.

The internal crisis has intensified in recent days. Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik became the third Trinamool parliamentarian this week to resign from both the party and the Upper House, following Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Sushmita Dev. Senior leader Kalyan Banerjee also publicly criticised party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and stated that he would remain in the party only if Abhishek was removed from leadership positions. Responding to the remarks, Azad said Kalyan Banerjee remained loyal to Mamata Banerjee and described him as emotional.

Azad further alleged that pressure was being exerted on Trinamool leaders through the withdrawal of security personnel but said such measures would not intimidate him. At the same time, several senior leaders publicly reaffirmed their support for Mamata Banerjee. Lok Sabha MPs Sougata Roy, Shatrughan Sinha and Pratima Mondal, along with Rajya Sabha MP Babul Supriyo, denied being part of any dissident faction and maintained that they would continue with the party.