The Trinamool Congress (TMC), founded by Mamata Banerjee nearly three decades ago, is facing its most serious internal crisis after a group of 58 rebel MLAs led by expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee claimed control of the party's legislature party on Wednesday. The move, recognized by Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, caps nearly two weeks of escalating tensions fueled by allegations of forged signatures, resentment over the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee, and a visible succession battle within the party.
Origins of the Crisis
The seeds of the crisis were sown after the party's assembly election defeat on May 4. Discontent emerged among newly elected legislators, many of whom privately expressed concern over the concentration of power around Abhishek Banerjee, the party's national general secretary and Mamata Banerjee's nephew. During a meeting on May 6, Mamata Banerjee reportedly asked legislators to applaud Abhishek for his role in the election campaign, which some viewed as a sign of growing family prominence within the party structure.
Early Signs of Dissent
The first public signs of dissent appeared on May 19 when Ritabrata Banerjee and MLA Sandipan Saha questioned why Falta MLA Jahangir Khan had not faced disciplinary action for withdrawing from the repoll campaign. Given Khan's proximity to Abhishek, the criticism was seen as a challenge to the leadership. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh also raised concerns but later distanced himself from the rebels.
The Turning Point
On May 22, Ritabrata Banerjee, in Delhi for Rajya Sabha formalities, met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Banga Bhavan and publicly praised Adhikari's decision to invite opposition legislators to review meetings, sparking political speculation. The crisis deepened on May 25 when allegations emerged that signatures of several MLAs had been forged on documents submitted to the Speaker regarding the legislature party leadership. Two days later, Ritabrata and Sandipan lodged a complaint, prompting a CID investigation.
Escalation and Expulsions
Tensions escalated on May 30 after Abhishek Banerjee was attacked by a mob in Sonarpur. While party leaders condemned the incident, some TMC figures viewed the muted response as evidence of estrangement between the leadership and legislators. A meeting of MLAs called by Mamata Banerjee on May 31 saw low turnout, undermining unity. On June 1, after Adhikari revealed the CID probe was initiated on complaints from Ritabrata and Sandipan, the TMC expelled both leaders, which energized the dissident camp. They intensified criticism of Abhishek, accusing him of centralizing authority, in a campaign dubbed 'Operation Crown Prince'.
Legislative Revolution
Efforts by the leadership to reassert control on June 2 failed as support drifted toward the rebels. On Wednesday, 58 MLAs submitted a letter electing Ritabrata Banerjee as leader of the legislature party, which the Speaker accepted, recognizing the rebel faction as the official legislature wing. Many legislators then attended a government review meeting convened by Adhikari at Nabanna, marking a significant political realignment.
This development represents the biggest rupture in the TMC's 28-year history, built around Mamata Banerjee's leadership. In an ironic twist, Ritabrata, a former CPI(M) leader who had compared Mamata's political style to Lenin's theories of mass mobilization, now leads what supporters call a 'legislative revolution' against her. The rebellion has exposed the risks and unanswered questions surrounding the party's future after Mamata Banerjee.
