Just hours after Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister, political circles in the state are abuzz with speculation over a possible wave of defections from the Trinamool Congress. Sources familiar with the developments claim that nearly 48 TMC MLAs and several MPs have already opened communication channels with the BJP, raising the possibility of a major political realignment in Bengal over the next few months.
The BJP scripted history in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections by securing a massive mandate and winning 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly. The Trinamool Congress, which ruled Bengal for over a decade under Mamata Banerjee, was reduced to just 80 seats and has now formally moved to the Opposition benches.
However, the political turbulence may not stop there.
According to sources within the BJP, discussions are underway with multiple Trinamool legislators who are reportedly unhappy with the party’s current position after the electoral defeat. Party insiders claim that as many as 48 TMC MLAs could switch allegiance to the BJP by June or July, potentially further weakening the Opposition in the Assembly.
The same sources also alleged that five Trinamool MPs from the Lok Sabha have established contact with senior BJP leaders. While no names have been officially disclosed, the claims have already intensified political speculation in Kolkata and Delhi alike.
Neither the BJP nor the Trinamool Congress has issued an official statement confirming the reported outreach. Senior TMC leaders, however, privately dismissed the speculation as “politically motivated rumours” aimed at creating panic within the party ranks after the election results.
Political observers say the BJP, after securing a decisive victory in Bengal, may now attempt to consolidate its position further by expanding its legislative strength and weakening the Opposition structure ahead of upcoming municipal and organisational battles.
If even a section of the reported defections materialises, it could trigger one of the biggest post-election political shifts in West Bengal in recent years.
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