TMC dismisses Congress merger speculation as 'baseless', keeps alliance option open

The Trinamool Congress has rejected speculation about a possible merger with the Congress, describing such reports as "baseless" amid ongoing political discussions following recent meetings between senior leaders of the two parties in New Delhi. Party leaders clarified that the interactions between Mamata Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi, as well as Abhishek Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi, should not be interpreted as merger negotiations and maintained that no such proposal is under consideration.

According to sources, both parties have nevertheless kept the door open for future political cooperation and remain in contact on matters of mutual political interest. Discussions between Rahul Gandhi and Abhishek Banerjee reportedly included ways to strengthen coordination between their parties. It has also been indicated that both sides discussed future engagement within the INDIA bloc framework.

Speculation over a possible merger intensified after a series of high-level meetings in Delhi, coinciding with an internal crisis within the Trinamool Congress. Reports of rebellion by a significant number of MLAs and growing dissent among MPs fueled political discussion about the party's future. The situation was further highlighted by the resignation of Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev from both the party and the Upper House, while another faction of MPs reportedly sought separate seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee reiterated that his faction has no intention of joining the Congress and claimed that the dissident camp represents the "real Trinamool Congress." He stated that the number of MLAs aligned with the rebel bloc had increased from 58 to 64 and asserted that the group would continue functioning under the Trinamool Congress banner. He also maintained that the rebel camp would not support any merger with the Congress.