Kolkata: The internal power struggle within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) took a dramatic turn on Friday after a rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee took control of the party’s operational headquarters, Trinamool Bhavan, in Kolkata. The group reportedly changed the locks, installed new name boards, and declared that all party activities would henceforth be conducted from the premises.

The move came a day after the rebel faction approached the Election Commission in New Delhi, staking its claim to the Trinamool Congress name, election symbol, and organisational leadership. The dissident camp has maintained that it represents the “real Trinamool Congress.”

After entering the headquarters, the rebel leaders held a meeting and replaced the existing signboard with one naming senior leader Arup Roy as the party president in place of Mamata Banerjee. However, photographs and cut-outs of Mamata Banerjee inside the building were left untouched.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction strongly condemned the takeover, describing it as an “illegal trespass” and accusing the rebels of forcibly occupying party property. Party leaders announced that they would challenge the action in court and pursue legal remedies.

Speaking to reporters after the takeover, Ritabrata Banerjee asserted the legitimacy of his faction.

“We are the real Trinamool Congress. From today onwards, all party activities will be conducted from this office,” Banerjee said.

The confrontation marks a significant escalation in the leadership crisis within the Trinamool Congress. The rebel faction claims to have secured the support of a majority of the party’s legislators and is seeking recognition as the legitimate leadership before the Election Commission. With the dispute over the party’s name and election symbol still pending, the seizure of the Kolkata headquarters is expected to intensify both the legal and political battle in West Bengal.