West Bengal politics witnessed a dramatic turn on Wednesday after expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ritabrata Banerjee announced that he had been chosen as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly with the backing of 58 legislators.
The development marks one of the biggest internal challenges faced by the TMC following its recent electoral setback and could significantly reshape the political landscape in the state.
Addressing a press conference, Banerjee claimed that 58 of the 80 MLAs elected on the TMC symbol had extended support to his faction. He further stated that two more legislators are expected to join the group soon, potentially increasing its strength.
“We have the support of 58 MLAs, and two more are likely to join us shortly. The legislature party reflects the mandate received under the TMC banner,” Banerjee said.
Speaker Accepts Revised Legislature Party Composition
According to Banerjee, the Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly has accepted a letter signed by supporting legislators and approved the revised composition of the legislature party.
He also claimed that the office designated for the Leader of Opposition has been made available to him, formally recognizing his position within the Assembly.
The rebel camp simultaneously announced a new leadership structure for the legislature party.
New Leadership Team Announced
The faction named:
- Akhruzzaman as Chief Whip
- Javed Ahmed Khan as Deputy Leader
- Sandeepan Saha as Deputy Leader
- Sabina Yasmin as Deputy Leader
- Shiuli Saha as Deputy Leader
Banerjee said all necessary communications regarding these appointments have already been submitted to the Speaker.
Appeal to Mamata Banerjee
Despite the growing rebellion, Ritabrata Banerjee urged TMC chief Mamata Banerjee to continue guiding the legislature party.
He proposed that the former chief minister play the role of a “chief adviser” and remain associated with the party’s legislative affairs.
However, Banerjee hinted at limited engagement between the rebel group and senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee amid the ongoing crisis.
What Triggered the Political Rift?
The conflict intensified after the TMC leadership appointed veteran leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of Opposition.
Soon after, Ritabrata Banerjee and MLA Sandeepan Saha alleged that signatures of several legislators had been forged on documents submitted in support of Chattopadhyay’s appointment.
The allegations prompted an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Following the dispute, the Trinamool Congress expelled both Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandeepan Saha from the party, further deepening divisions within the organization.
TMC Calls Move a Betrayal
Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh criticized the rebel camp and described the move as a betrayal during a difficult period for the party.
According to Ghosh, internal disagreements could have been resolved through dialogue rather than public confrontation.
Why This Matters
The emergence of a rival faction claiming support from a majority of TMC legislators has created fresh uncertainty in West Bengal politics.
If the numbers claimed by the rebel camp hold, the development could trigger a major power struggle within the party and have long-term implications for the state’s opposition politics and future electoral strategies.
Political observers believe the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the rebellion gathers further momentum or if the party leadership succeeds in containing the crisis.
