A significant political upheaval is brewing in West Bengal as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces the possibility of a split. Suspended party leader Riju Dutta has asserted that approximately 50 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) convened at a hotel to deliberate on the future direction of the party. According to Dutta, these legislators plan to approach the West Bengal assembly speaker with three key demands, including recognition as the “real Trinamool Congress.”
Demands of the Dissenting MLAs
Dutta detailed the demands put forth by the dissenting group. First, they claim to represent a two-thirds majority within the party, effectively positioning themselves as the authentic Trinamool Congress. Second, they insist that Ritabrata Bandopadhyay should be appointed as the Leader of the Opposition, replacing Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. Third, they seek to stake claim over the party’s official symbol, arguing that their numerical strength entitles them to it.
The controversy began when two TMC MLAs, Ritabrata Bandopadhyay and Sandipan Saha, wrote a letter to the Speaker alleging that their signatures had been forged. In response, the TMC expelled both MLAs. Dutta, who himself was suspended from the party, stated that he received information about the meeting and noted that Kunal Ghosh, another party figure, had publicly confirmed that around 50 TMC MLAs, led by Bandopadhyay, gathered at a hotel. The group also held discussions over the phone and convened at the MLA hostel later in the evening.
Parallels to the Maharashtra Model
Dutta drew a direct comparison to the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena, often referred to as the “Maharashtra model.” In that instance, Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, resulting in a division of the party and the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The consequences were far-reaching, as Uddhav Thackeray ultimately lost control of the original Shiv Sena name and its iconic bow-and-arrow symbol to the Shinde faction. Dutta suggested that a similar scenario is now unfolding in West Bengal.
Party Leadership Responds
However, senior TMC leader and MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay has dismissed the claims, asserting that the overwhelming majority of the party’s legislators remain firmly behind Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He emphasized that the organization would continue to be guided by its veteran leadership and that the rebellion would not gain traction. The coming days will be crucial as the Speaker’s office decides on the legitimacy of the dissenting group’s claims and the future of the TMC hangs in the balance.
