Mamata Banerjee to Join CJP Protest in Delhi; Appoints Saugata Roy as Trinamool’s Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha

Kolkata, July 2026 : Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee will travel to New Delhi on July 27 to participate in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest against the alleged NEET examination paper leak, signalling her party’s support for the nationwide agitation over examination irregularities.

The announcement comes as the Opposition intensifies its campaign against the Centre, demanding accountability over the controversy and greater transparency in the country’s competitive examination system.

Alongside confirming her visit to the national capital, Banerjee also announced an important organisational change within the Trinamool Congress’ parliamentary leadership. Senior party leader and four-time Lok Sabha MP from Dum Dum, Saugata Roy, has been appointed the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.

Roy succeeds four-time Birbhum MP Satabdi Roy, whose exit from the Trinamool Congress followed the recent political developments in West Bengal. Satabdi Roy was among the 20 former TMC Lok Sabha members who recently joined the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) after the party suffered a major setback in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.

Following the departure of these MPs, the Trinamool Congress’ strength in the Lok Sabha has been reduced to just eight members. The party’s parliamentary leadership continues to be headed by Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and three-time MP from the Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas district.

Mamata Banerjee had first expressed her support for the student-led movement during the Trinamool Congress’ annual Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata on July 21. Addressing party workers and supporters, she voiced solidarity with students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak and announced her intention to personally join the agitation in New Delhi.

While her participation has now been confirmed, it remains unclear whether Banerjee will make a symbolic appearance at the protest site at Jantar Mantar or actively participate in the demonstrations alongside student groups and Opposition leaders.

There is also speculation over whether the Delhi visit could include meetings with leaders of other Opposition parties. However, no official itinerary has been announced regarding any political consultations with Congress leaders or other INDIA bloc partners.

During her July 21 address, Banerjee had urged all Opposition parties to put aside differences and strengthen the INDIA alliance to jointly counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She called for coordinated nationwide campaigns on issues affecting students, unemployment and democratic rights.

Her decision to join the CJP-led protest is expected to add further political weight to the ongoing agitation, which has drawn support from several Opposition parties demanding a judicial probe into the alleged paper leak, reforms in the examination system and accountability from the Union government. The protest movement has emerged as a key political issue, with Parliament also witnessing repeated disruptions over the controversy.