SP MP Jaya Bachchan visits Mamata Banerjee’s residence:Meets Mamata and Abhishek, signals support for former WB CM

Despite being allies in the INDIA bloc, the relationship between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) appeared to have become strained in recent weeks. Just days ago, senior SP leader Kiranmoy Nanda, during a visit to Kolkata, blamed TMC chief Mamata Banerjee for the party’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election. Jaya Bachchan visits Mamata’s Kalighat residence Against this backdrop, Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan visited Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence in Kolkata on Thursday. On a rain-soaked afternoon, Bachchan arrived with TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien and was welcomed by Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The details of their discussions were not disclosed. Akhilesh earlier expressed solidarity with Mamata Following the TMC’s defeat in the 2026 Assembly election, Mamata Banerjee has continued to challenge the results, alleging large-scale electoral irregularities and accusing the BJP of “vote theft.” The matter is currently before the court. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had earlier expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee over her allegations and had visited her residence in Kolkata shortly after the election results to convey his support. Meeting fuels INDIA bloc political speculation However, the SP’s stance appeared less unified after senior leader Kiranmoy Nanda publicly criticised Mamata Banerjee, saying that “people did not want Mamata, and that is why she lost.” He also remarked that political compulsions sometimes force leaders to make certain statements, an apparent reference to Akhilesh Yadav’s earlier support for the TMC chief. Jaya Bachchan’s meeting with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee is likely to fuel fresh political speculation over the evolving dynamics within the INDIA alliance following the West Bengal Assembly election. ​