TMC Slams Exclusion from Parliamentary Panel Chairs, Writes to Rajya Sabha Chairman

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has formally protested its exclusion from chairmanships of parliamentary standing committees for the 2026-27 session, with the party's Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien writing to Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan. The letter, sent after the committees were reconstituted, argues that the TMC has been unfairly denied leadership roles despite its significant presence in Parliament.

The TMC, a major opposition force with 23 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 13 in the Rajya Sabha, has historically chaired key committees such as the Standing Committee on Information Technology. Party sources indicate that the exclusion is part of a broader pattern of marginalizing opposition voices in the committee system, which plays a crucial role in scrutinizing government policies. The letter to the Chairman seeks an explanation and a review of the allocation process.

This development is likely to intensify tensions between the government and opposition parties, potentially affecting the functioning of parliamentary committees. It also raises questions about the fairness of the reconstitution process and could lead to further protests in the upcoming session. The Rajya Sabha Chairman's response will be closely watched for its implications on opposition participation in legislative oversight.