Major Split in TMC as 60 MLAs Back Rebel Faction

A major political crisis has emerged within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) following a reported split in the party after the Assembly elections. As many as 60 MLAs are said to have broken away from the faction led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and formed a separate group under the leadership of Ritabrata Banerjee.

In a significant development, the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly reportedly granted recognition to the rebel faction and appointed Ritabrata Banerjee as the new Leader of the Opposition.

Dispute Over Opposition Leader Appointment

According to reports, Mamata Banerjee had nominated Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition. However, the decision allegedly triggered widespread dissent within the party.

Out of the 80 TMC MLAs, 60 legislators reportedly opposed the appointment and refused to accept Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as their leader. The dissenting legislators subsequently rallied behind Ritabrata Banerjee and approached Assembly Speaker Rabindranath Bose.

The group claimed that it represented the majority faction within the party and urged the Speaker to recognize Ritabrata Banerjee as the official Leader of the Opposition.

Speaker Recognizes Rebel Group

After reviewing the representations made by the legislators, the Speaker reportedly accepted the claim of the rebel faction and recognized Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

The decision is being viewed as a major setback for Mamata Banerjee and has intensified political speculation about the future of the party.

Background of the Rebellion

The political rift reportedly began after Mamata Banerjee suspended Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Shah from the TMC following allegations of anti-party activities after the election results.

Following the disciplinary action, Ritabrata Banerjee emerged as the face of a growing rebellion within the party. The suspension is believed to have further widened the divide between the two camps.

‘We Will Play the Role of a Constructive Opposition’

After being recognized as the Leader of the Opposition, Ritabrata Banerjee said that all 60 MLAs continue to stand firmly with his faction.

He stated that the group would perform the role of a responsible opposition and focus on constructive and positive politics in the Assembly.

At the same time, Ritabrata sought to avoid a direct confrontation with Mamata Banerjee, saying that she remains a respected leader and expressing hope that she would continue to guide party members in the future.

Political Uncertainty Ahead

The reported split has created uncertainty within the Trinamool Congress and could significantly alter the political landscape in West Bengal. Political observers believe the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the two factions reconcile or continue on separate political paths.