TMC not imploding, Mamata Banerjee and core group are the party: Mahua Moitra

In an exclusive interview with India Today, senior Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has dismissed claims that the party is imploding in West Bengal, despite a massive rebellion where dozens of legislators have aligned with an expelled leader. Mahua Moitra alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state is orchestrating the split by using central agencies and state police to intimidate legislators. According to the parliamentarian, the current West Bengal Chief Minister is leveraging his past association with the Trinamool Congress to target the vulnerabilities of individual legislators, forcing them to accept the rebel faction. The parliamentarian asserted that the core mandate of the opposition voters remains with the original party leadership and challenged the defecting legislators to resign and seek re-election. Furthermore, the parliamentarian acknowledged speculation about potential defections by party members in both houses of parliament, suggesting that those leaving are opportunists seeking personal security and political favours from the ruling party at the centre. The parliamentarian maintained that the core party will rebuild and continue its political fight.