Rebel faction takes over TMC headquarters in Kolkata
The internal conflict within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified on Friday when the rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee seized control of the party's metropolitan headquarters in Kolkata. The group changed the locks, installed new posters, and declared that it would operate from the premises from Saturday onwards.
New posters at the headquarters identified senior MLA Arup Roy as the party's chairperson. Ritabrata stated that the faction would formally begin functioning from the office from Saturday.
Move follows Election Commission appearance
The takeover occurred barely 24 hours after the dissident camp appeared before the full bench of the Election Commission in New Delhi to stake its claim over the party's name, symbol, and organisational structure. The faction is asserting its legitimacy as the true representation of the TMC.
Accompanied by senior leaders Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, and party treasurer Akhruzzaman, Ritabrata arrived at the office on the EM Bypass and held a meeting inside the premises. He asserted that his camp represented the "real" TMC.
Loyalist leader locked out
Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, a member of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, reached the office after learning of the developments but was unable to enter as the gates had been locked. Describing the episode as "unfortunate," Ghosh accused the dissidents of attempting to create confusion within the party.
The incident marks a significant escalation in the power struggle between the faction loyal to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the breakaway group led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The dispute is now before the Election Commission, which will decide on the legitimate leadership and control of the party's name and symbol.
