Mamata Banerjee seeks a return to Parliament through a by-election, according to Hindustan Times.
What happened
Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal Chief Minister, has lost her assembly seat to the BJP and now aims to return to the Lok Sabha after nearly two decades. Reports indicate that she is considering a by-election, potentially at the expense of Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan, a former cricketer.
On June 4, 2026, an influential Bengali newspaper suggested that Sourav Ganguly was asked to communicate with Pathan regarding his resignation. Ganguly clarified on Saturday that he had not been requested to deliver any such message. “I was never requested/asked by Ms. Mamata Banerjee,” he stated in a signed media communication.
Banerjee, 71, conducted a reshuffle of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) amid rising dissent, particularly against her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. With a faction of 58 rebel MLAs emerging as the principal opposition, the party faces significant internal strife.
Why it matters
The stakes are high for Banerjee as her political future hinges on reclaiming a parliamentary seat. Losing her assembly contest has put her position in jeopardy, with her party fracturing at a crucial time. The TMC’s factional disputes could undermine its effectiveness, especially against a strong BJP opposition.
Background
On May 20, 2026, Banerjee lost her assembly seat to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, who subsequently became the Chief Minister. This defeat triggered a rebellion within her party, necessitating a leadership reshuffle aimed at stabilizing the TMC.
Notable changes included the appointment of new joint secretaries and the restructuring of various party wings. However, the party’s control appears to be slipping, as indicated by the recognition of the rebel bloc by the assembly speaker.
What’s next
Banerjee’s efforts to return to Parliament may soon be tested as she navigates the implications of her party’s internal dissent. The TMC plans to challenge the assembly speaker’s recognition of the rebel bloc in court, and discussions regarding Pathan’s parliamentary seat are expected to unfold in the coming weeks.
