As defections continue to unsettle the Trinamool Congress, party MP Mahua Moitra has sought to project confidence, arguing that the departures amount to a political cleansing rather than a crisis. Speaking after Rajya Sabha member Sushmita Dev resigned from the party, Moitra dismissed speculation about the TMC's decline and accused the BJP of exaggerating its claims of support within the Bengal ruling party.
Referring to Dev's departure, Moitra said political leaders are free to make their choices and that the reasons behind such decisions must be explained by those leaving. She pointed out that the TMC had entrusted Dev with significant responsibilities, including Rajya Sabha representation, but maintained that her exit was ultimately a personal decision. Moitra also suggested that the political future of recent defectors would become clearer in the coming months, particularly if they formally align with the BJP.
Addressing reports that a large group of TMC parliamentarians may be preparing to break away, Moitra rejected suggestions that as many as 20 MPs were ready to leave. She argued that if such numbers genuinely existed, there would already be public evidence in the form of letters, signatures or a coordinated political move. According to her, the BJP's claims are aimed more at creating a perception of instability than reflecting the actual situation within the party.
She also emphasised that anti-defection provisions make it difficult for dissidents to carve out a separate political identity. Even if a group of MPs chose to sit apart from the party, she argued, they would gain little politically unless they met the legal threshold required for a formal merger. In her view, any such move would effectively end their prospects within the Trinamool fold without necessarily creating a viable alternative platform.
On questions about why some leaders are leaving despite not facing pressure from investigative agencies, Moitra described certain departures as acts of political opportunism. She suggested that some individuals had benefited from the party's support for years before choosing to distance themselves when circumstances changed.
At the same time, Moitra was careful not to criticise Sushmita Dev personally, describing her as a friend and declining to speculate about her motives. Instead, she focused on what she sees as a broader restructuring within the party.
According to Moitra, the current churn may ultimately strengthen the Trinamool Congress by removing individuals whose commitment to the leadership and organisation was uncertain. She said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's political style is shaped by loyalty and personal relationships, which has sometimes led her to retain leaders whom a more ruthless political organisation might have sidelined much earlier.
Moitra acknowledged that the episode offers lessons for the party leadership, particularly about trust and internal discipline. However, she insisted that the core of the organisation remains firmly behind Banerjee and committed to opposing the BJP.
Responding to recurring criticism over the role of Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee's nephew and the party's national general secretary, Moitra argued that while family connections may have helped him enter politics, his subsequent rise was built on years of organisational work and electoral success. She said he has earned his position through sustained political engagement and rejected comparisons that portray his role solely through the lens of dynastic politics.
Moitra also defended the party's decision to work with election consultancy firm IPAC, saying it helped modernise organisational structures and improve booth-level management. While conceding that there may have been instances where consultants overstepped their role, she maintained that professional support became necessary in an era when political campaigns increasingly rely on technology, data and structured voter outreach.
Despite the recent exits and growing speculation about unrest within the party, Moitra's message was one of defiance. Rather than viewing the departures as a sign of decline, she portrayed them as part of a process that could leave the Trinamool Congress leaner, more disciplined and better prepared for future political battles.