Mamata demands Rajya Sabha LoP post from Congress for 'merger'; Ghar wapsi on cards?

Speculation over a possible merger between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress intensified on Wednesday amid a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi involving Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Political discussions gained momentum following reports that Mamata Banerjee has sought the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha as part of broader discussions surrounding a potential political realignment between the two parties. No official confirmation has been issued by either party regarding any merger proposal.

Mamata Banerjee, who founded the Trinamool Congress after leaving the Congress in 1997, has remained in New Delhi for several days despite an ongoing political crisis within her party in West Bengal. During her visit, she held meetings with Sonia Gandhi, while Abhishek Banerjee met Rahul Gandhi for more than an hour. The meetings came amid reports of growing dissent within the Trinamool Congress, including claims of support for rebel groups among sections of the party's legislators and parliamentarians.

According to political discussions surrounding the meetings, Congress leadership is believed to have explored possibilities for closer coordination with the Trinamool Congress. Reports have suggested that Mamata Banerjee could be considered for a significant national role within the Congress structure, while Abhishek Banerjee could also be accommodated in a senior organisational position. Separate claims indicate that discussions may have included the possibility of Mamata Banerjee moving to the Rajya Sabha and assuming the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House. Neither side has publicly acknowledged such proposals.

Meanwhile, rebel Trinamool leader Ritabrata Banerjee rejected suggestions that the legislative and parliamentary wings aligned with his faction would support any merger with the Congress. He claimed that 64 MLAs and around 20 MPs associated with the rebel camp would not back such a move and reiterated that his group considers itself the legitimate Trinamool Congress. The developments have coincided with continued speculation over the future political direction of the party following a series of meetings between senior Congress and Trinamool leaders in the national capital.