In a significant setback for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Calcutta High Court has refused to grant interim relief against the Speaker's decision recognizing rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
Court's Observation
The court found no prima facie case to justify an interim stay, allowing Ritabrata Banerjee to continue in the post. The matter will now be heard on July 28. The court also questioned why Speaker Rathin Basu acted on the rebels' representation while keeping pending an earlier proposal from the Mamata camp backing Shovandeb Chattopadhyay.
Political Implications
The dispute has deepened the ongoing split within the TMC, with the rebel faction asserting its strength. The court's decision is seen as a blow to the party leadership, which had sought to remove Ritabrata Banerjee from the position.
Background: The Speaker's decision to recognize Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition had been challenged by the TMC, which argued that the post should go to Shovandeb Chattopadhyay, a loyalist. The High Court's refusal to grant interim relief means the status quo remains until the next hearing.
