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TMC Crisis Escalates: Rebel MLAs Elect Ritabrata Banerjee, Leadership Battle Intensifies

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Kolkata
  • Jun 05, 2026
  • 109

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) is witnessing one of the most serious internal challenges in its political history after a large group of rebel legislators openly challenged the party leadership and secured official recognition for their chosen leader in the West Bengal Assembly.

Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee held a crucial meeting with senior party leaders on Friday in an effort to contain the growing crisis. The meeting came days after a dramatic split within the party resulted in 58 dissident MLAs electing Ritabrata Banerjee as their leader and obtaining recognition from the Assembly Speaker as the Leader of the Opposition.

Senior TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee strongly opposed the Speaker's decision and announced plans to approach the Calcutta High Court. According to him, legislators who have rebelled against the party should first seek a fresh mandate from voters before claiming political legitimacy.

The high-level meeting at Mamata Banerjee's residence was attended by eight MLAs and six Members of Parliament. Party leaders reaffirmed that Mamata Banerjee would continue as the President of the Trinamool Congress, while Abhishek Banerjee would retain his role as the party's National General Secretary.

Ritabrata Banerjee Emerges as Key Figure in TMC Rebellion

The political crisis escalated on June 3 when 58 rebel legislators elected Ritabrata Banerjee as their leader and submitted a letter of support to the Speaker. Following verification of the documents, the Speaker officially recognized him as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

Reports circulating in political circles suggest that several TMC MPs may also be maintaining contact with the rebel faction and the BJP. However, Ritabrata Banerjee denied having any recent discussions with Members of Parliament and said he could not speculate about their future political moves.

The rebellion gained momentum after Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha were expelled from the Trinamool Congress. Both leaders accused the party leadership of manipulating signatures related to a resolution concerning the appointment of the Opposition Leader.

Mamata Banerjee Orders Organizational Overhaul

Facing mounting internal pressure, Mamata Banerjee dissolved all party committees and frontal organizations across West Bengal with immediate effect on June 3. Political observers view the move as an attempt to regain control of the party structure and prevent further defections.

The Trinamool Congress currently holds 80 seats in the West Bengal Assembly and has 41 MPs in Parliament, including 28 Lok Sabha members and 13 Rajya Sabha representatives.

Expelled leaders Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee continue to insist that they were removed from the party after raising concerns about alleged irregularities in official party documents submitted to the Assembly.

Internal Revolt Raises Questions Over Abhishek Banerjee's Leadership

Several rebel legislators have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee within the party. Sandipan Saha has alleged that criticism of the Diamond Harbour MP was discouraged within the organization and that leaders were expected to publicly support him even after electoral setbacks.

These allegations have intensified debate over the future direction of the Trinamool Congress and the balance of power within the party leadership.

Major Political Party Splits That Changed Indian Politics

The latest developments in the TMC have drawn comparisons with several major political splits witnessed across India over the past decade.

In Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena split led by Eknath Shinde dramatically altered the state's political landscape. The Nationalist Congress Party also experienced a division after Ajit Pawar rebelled against Sharad Pawar.

Uttar Pradesh saw a high-profile leadership battle within the Samajwadi Party, where Akhilesh Yadav emerged victorious and retained control of the party organization and election symbol.

Bihar witnessed a split within the Lok Janshakti Party following the death of Ram Vilas Paswan, while Tamil Nadu's AIADMK experienced a prolonged power struggle after the demise of J. Jayalalithaa.

With the Trinamool Congress now facing a similar internal rebellion, political analysts believe West Bengal politics may be entering a new and unpredictable phase. The coming weeks could prove decisive for Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and the future of the TMC.

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