Mala Roy set to join rebel bloc, TMC faces setback in South Kolkata

The Trinamool Congress is facing fresh political challenges amid continuing defections from its parliamentary ranks, with reports indicating that South Kolkata MP Mala Roy is preparing to join the party's rebel faction. According to sources, Roy is expected to extend support to the pro-NDA bloc, a move that would mark a significant development in South Kolkata, a constituency long regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee's strongest political bases. The development comes after electoral setbacks for the party in Bhabanipur and the neighboring Rashbehari Assembly constituency.

Sources said Mala Roy travelled to Delhi on Tuesday along with her husband Nirbed Roy, son and daughter. Reports indicate that if she did not formally sign the necessary documents on Tuesday evening, the process could take place on Wednesday. Her reported move has attracted considerable attention because of her longstanding association with Kolkata politics and her role as a senior party leader.

Mala Roy has served as Chairperson of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and has been regarded as an influential political figure in South Kolkata. As several MPs, including Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Sayani Ghosh, Partha Bhowmick and Yusuf Pathan, were increasingly seen distancing themselves from the party leadership, many within political circles believed that Roy would continue to remain aligned with the party's central leadership. Her reported decision to support the rebel camp has therefore emerged as a notable political development.

Sources within the rebel faction claim that Mala Roy's inclusion would further strengthen their position in Parliament. According to those sources, 16 MPs had already signed a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday night, while speculation grew on Tuesday that Sayani Ghosh had also joined the group. Reports further suggest that if Mala Roy and Mitali Bag formally sign in support of the faction, the rebel bloc could cross the 20-MP mark, increasing its strength within Parliament.