The political landscape in West Bengal is witnessing a dramatic shift as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) grapples with a severe internal crisis. A group of rebel MLAs, led by Ritabrata Banerjee and Firhad Hakim has taken control of the party’s headquarters in Kolkata, escalating the power struggle within the party.
The faction, which recently claimed the party’s name and election symbol before the Election Commission, has now asserted control over Trinamool Bhavan on EM Bypass. This move comes a day after the dissident leaders presented their case before the Election Commission in New Delhi, claiming to be the legitimate representatives of the TMC.
The Rebel Faction’s Assertion of Control
The rebel group, after returning from New Delhi, held meetings at the party headquarters and allegedly padlocked the gates. They informed the media that all necessary formalities with the premises’ owners had been completed and that they would henceforth operate from Trinamool Bhavan. The group also put up a banner outside the headquarters, naming senior MLA Arup Roy as the party’s chairperson.
Mamata Banerjee’s Camp Responds
The ‘takeover’ of the party headquarters has drawn sharp criticism from leaders aligned with Mamata Banerjee‘s camp. TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh stated that a formal police complaint had been lodged against those who trespassed into Trinamool Bhavan. He emphasized that expelled members had no right to enter the party office.
Kalyan Banerjee, a loyalist of Mamata Banerjee, dismissed the breakaway group’s legitimacy, stating that merely operating from a separate office did not lend legitimacy to their claim over the TMC. He further mentioned that the Mamata-led faction would challenge the rebels legally and politically.
Questions Over the Election Commission Hearing
The meeting with the Election Commission on Thursday drew criticism from the Mamata Banerjee camp. They maintained that leaders expelled from the party had no legal or organizational authority to represent the TMC before the poll body. Senior leader Saugata Roy questioned the basis on which the Election Commission granted an appointment to a person expelled by the TMC.
Following the hearing, the Election Commission asked both groups to submit their respective claims and counterclaims regarding the party’s organizational elections, authorized signatories, and control over the organization by 5:30 pm on July 6. The Mamata-led faction is expected to respond at the appropriate time and expose the criminal cases pending against members of the breakaway group.
The Battle for the TMC
The crisis within the 28-year-old Trinamool Congress deepened after a majority of its MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee’s challenge to Mamata’s leadership. The dissident camp elected senior legislator Arup Roy as the party’s chairperson during a special session convened last month.
This development followed weeks of rebellion by the Ritabrata-led group, backed by 58 MLAs, against the former chief minister. The rebels were subsequently recognized by the West Bengal Assembly Speaker as the legislature party. While the Mamata camp has dismissed the rebellion as unconstitutional and alleged BJP involvement, the dissidents continue to reinforce their claim over the TMC by taking control of the organizational headquarters.
The ongoing power struggle within the TMC has significant implications for West Bengal’s political landscape, especially ahead of the upcoming local body elections and the 2026 Assembly polls. The Election Commission’s decision on the matter will be crucial in determining the future of the party and its influence in the state.
