The Trinamool Congress (TMC), founded by Mamata Banerjee in 1998 as a grassroots movement, faces its most severe internal crisis after 58 rebel MLAs led by expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee claimed control of the party's legislature wing. The rebellion, reminiscent of the Shiv Sena split in 2022, has drawn parallels as dissidents assert they have secured recognition from Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose.
Rebels Claim Majority
On Wednesday, the TMC plunged into turmoil when Ritabrata Banerjee announced that 58 MLAs had backed him as the new leader of the opposition. The dissident camp submitted letters of support to the Speaker, comfortably surpassing the two-thirds majority required under anti-defection laws. "Our claim has been accepted by the Speaker," Ritabrata told reporters. "The TMC legislative party is a team of 58 MLAs who won on the TMC symbol. We are the real TMC now in the Assembly." This marks the first formal split in the party's 28-year history.
Rebel Leadership Unveiled
Following the Speaker's recognition, the rebels announced a new leadership structure. Ritabrata Banerjee was named leader of the opposition, while Akhruzzaman was appointed chief whip. Senior legislators Javed Ahmed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Sabina Yasmin, and Shiuli Saha were designated deputy leaders. Several veteran lawmakers, including Samar Mukhopadhyay, Arup Roy, Rathin Ghosh, and Prasun Banerjee, reportedly joined the rebellion.
Mamata Accepted, Abhishek Rejected
Despite challenging the existing leadership, the rebels refrained from directly confronting Mamata Banerjee. "Abhishek Banerjee will have absolutely no role in it. Neither our legislative party nor the party organisation has any connection with him. The people of Bengal have no connection with him. If there were a connection, he wouldn't have remained in hiding for 26 days," Ritabrata said. He urged Mamata to play the role of chief adviser to the legislative party.
TMC Dissolves All Committees
In response to the escalating crisis, the party leadership announced a sweeping organisational overhaul. "All committees of the All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal shall stand dissolved with immediate effect," the party stated. Political observers view this as an acknowledgment that the dispute has evolved beyond factionalism into a battle for control of the party itself. The rebellion traces its roots to the controversy over selecting the Leader of the Opposition after the recent elections.
Firhad Hakim Steps Down as Kolkata Mayor
In another setback, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim secured Mamata Banerjee's approval to resign as Kolkata Mayor. "He requested Mamata Banerjee today to allow him to step down, following which she agreed," TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh said. Hakim had earlier cited difficulties in functioning after the BJP came to power in West Bengal. His resignation follows a series of resignations by councillors in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Hakim, a prominent minority face, has served as mayor since 2018.
ED Summons Abhishek Banerjee
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the primary teachers' recruitment scam. A notice directed him to appear on June 15. The summons is linked to a money-laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment. The ED has already attached properties worth Rs 154 crore in the case. The probe gained national attention after the 2022 arrest of former education minister Partha Chatterjee, following the recovery of cash and valuables linked to the alleged jobs-for-cash racket.
These developments collectively indicate that the TMC is battling challenges on multiple fronts, facing perhaps its most turbulent moment in history. The party's future now hinges on how Mamata Banerjee navigates this unprecedented internal revolt and external legal pressures.
