Trinamool Congress MPs dispute alleged faction signatures amid internal crisis

West Bengal Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmakers Sougata Roy and Pratima Mandal said their names were used in documents without their consent as rumors of a breakaway faction grew. Roy claimed some MPs alleged they had not signed papers, yet their signatures were being circulated, describing the practice as unethical and linking it to BJP's alleged "Operation Lotus" strategy to increase its numbers. Mandal denied belonging to any new garrison, asserting that her name was added without her knowledge or approval. The controversy centres on three pages allegedly bearing the signatures of 19 Lok Sabha TMC MPs, whose authenticity has not been independently verified. Party chief Mamata Banerjee, campaigning in Delhi, met opposition leaders and stressed opposition unity, while the internal dispute continues to dominate TMC's parliamentary wing.