The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has found itself in the midst of a significant internal dispute, with the party’s leadership validity coming under scrutiny. In a recent development, a TMC delegation, led by senior leader Kalyan Banerjee, submitted a comprehensive response to the Election Commission (EC), asserting the party’s constitutional legitimacy until 2027.
The controversy began when the EC issued notices to rival factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee. The poll panel’s action followed Ritabrata’s petition, which sought recognition as the ‘real’ Trinamool Congress. Both factions were directed to submit detailed replies by 5:30 pm on July 6.
The TMC’s Defense of Its Leadership
Speaking to reporters after submitting the party’s response, Kalyan Banerjee, accompanied by Mahua Moitra and Sagarika Ghosh, emphasized that the TMC had addressed every allegation raised by the rival faction. He stated, “Today, we have filed our response which was sought by the EC on the basis of a representation made by Ritabrata Banerjee, the alleged secretary of the alleged TMC. We have given a very detailed reply on that.”
The rival faction’s primary contention was that the tenure of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) committee and the National Working Committee was limited to three years and had expired in 2026, rendering the current leadership invalid. However, Kalyan Banerjee refuted this claim, explaining the party’s constitutional history.
The Evolution of the TMC’s Constitutional Tenure
Banerjee highlighted that when the West Bengal Trinamool Congress was first registered as a political party in 1998, the tenure of the Working Committee and the AITC committee was indeed three years. However, after the party was converted into the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) in 2000, the amended constitution was approved by the EC, extending the tenure to four years. A subsequent constitutional amendment in 2006 further increased the tenure to five years, a change that was formally communicated to the EC.
He argued that the Commission has since recognized the five-year tenure and has consistently directed the party to conduct its organizational elections within that period. “The last election was held in 2026. Therefore, automatically the life of the AITC and the National Working Committee remains for a period of five years. It will expire in 2027. Therefore, the first allegation that the life is no longer there is incorrect and not supported by the constitutional provisions of the AITC,” he said.
The Election Commission has given the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction until 5:30 pm on Friday, July 10, to submit its claims on the issue of authorized signatories and organizational polls of the Trinamool Congress. The poll body had initially asked both factions to submit their claims and counter-claims by July 6, but the rebel faction was granted an extension.
A senior TMC leader claimed the extension showed the Election Commission was acting “at the behest of the BJP.” In its reply submitted on Monday to the EC, the Mamata Banerjee-led party rejected the rebel faction’s claims and maintained that the TMC’s organizational committees remain valid till 2027 under the party constitution.
The tussle intensified last week after a delegation led by Ritabrata Banerjee met the full bench of the Election Commission and claimed it represented the “real” All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). The faction said it had informed the commission after holding a special organizational session on June 22 and sought recognition of the organizational changes it claimed to have carried out.
Mamata Banerjee’s Appeal to the People
Amid the ongoing split within the Trinamool Congress, party chief Mamata Banerjee has urged people not to forgive ‘traitors’ who had sided with the BJP. Her remarks came after she participated in a Trinamool Youth Congress protest rally in Kolkata, where clashes allegedly broke out between TMC workers and BJP supporters.
Addressing party workers after the protest, Mamata accused the rival faction of betraying the party. “People shouldn’t forgive TMC leaders who are traitors, sided with BJP; don’t try to sail on two boats, there’s still time to look back and address barbarity,” she said. The former West Bengal chief minister also accused her political opponents of misusing the name of Lord Ram for political purposes.
The latest comments come against the backdrop of an escalating power struggle within the Trinamool Congress following its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction has approached the Election Commission, claiming to be the legitimate Trinamool Congress and seeking control over the party’s name and election symbol. The dispute has also spread to the party’s organizational headquarters, Trinamool Bhavan, with the Mamata Banerjee camp accusing the rival faction of illegally taking over the office and filing a police complaint alleging criminal trespass.
Both factions are now engaged in a legal and political battle over the party’s organization, assets, and leadership. Earlier, Mamata challenged leaders of the rebel faction to “directly join the BJP” and “take on me if you have the courage,” accusing the saffron party of using them to fuel dissent within the TMC ranks.
