Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has suffered a significant political setback after expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee was recognised by Speaker Rathindra Bose as the leader of the Trinamool Congress Legislature Party. The development comes amid an escalating rebellion within the party that threatens its legislative and organisational structure.
Support of 58 MLAs
Ritabrata Banerjee, along with rebel MLA Sandipan Saha and other dissident legislators, met the Speaker on Wednesday and submitted letters claiming the support of 58 MLAs. They also proposed a new leadership team for the legislature party.
Following the submission, the Speaker accepted Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the legislature party, dealing a major blow to Mamata Banerjee’s authority within the organisation.
The rebel faction argues that it has crossed the threshold required under the anti-defection law. Since the Trinamool Congress has 80 MLAs in the Assembly, a two-thirds majority—54 members—is needed for a breakaway group to avoid disqualification. With the claimed support of 58 legislators, the dissidents maintain that they qualify for recognition as a separate group in the Assembly.
Challenge to Existing Leadership
In their communication to the Speaker, the rebels referred to Mamata Banerjee only as the party chairperson, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to portray their battle as one against the existing legislative leadership rather than against Mamata herself.
The dissident camp has also made it clear that it does not recognise the authority of Abhishek Banerjee in party affairs.
Political observers believe the crisis could have far-reaching consequences for the Trinamool Congress, potentially affecting its organisational control and political identity if the split gains formal recognition.
‘Traitors,’ Says TMC Leadership
Senior TMC leader and MLA Kunal Ghosh strongly condemned the rebels.
“If they had any issues, they could have discussed them within the party. Instead, they stabbed the party in the back,” Ghosh said.
Describing the dissidents as “traitors,” he expressed confidence that the Trinamool Congress, under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, would overcome the crisis and remain united.
How the Dispute Began
The controversy traces its origins to a meeting of newly elected MLAs held at Mamata Banerjee’s residence on May 6. During the meeting, the party leadership was authorised to decide the appointments of the Leader of the Opposition, deputy leaders, and the chief whip.
Subsequently, the party informed the Assembly Secretariat that Sovandeb Chattopadhyay would serve as Leader of the Opposition, Nayana Bandyopadhyay and Asima Patra as deputy leaders, and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip.
However, the Secretariat reportedly declined to act on the communication, citing procedural requirements that such positions should be formally elected in a legislature party meeting.
The situation escalated when rebel MLAs alleged that signatures on the letter submitted to the Secretariat had been misused. Following these accusations, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha were expelled from the party.
Rebels Gain Momentum
The rebels received a major boost when Javed Khan, a long-time Mamata loyalist associated with the party since its formation, joined the dissident camp.
Since his expulsion, Ritabrata Banerjee has emerged as the face of the rebellion, positioning himself at the centre of one of the most serious internal challenges faced by the Trinamool Congress in recent years.
