Trinamool Faces Major Split as Loyalists Back Mamata Banerjee, Reject Ritabrata’s Claim in Assembly
Kolkata, June 4: A major political crisis has unfolded within the Trinamool Congress after a group of 58 MLAs broke ranks and declared themselves the principal Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The development has triggered a sharp response from leaders loyal to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who insist that the party’s identity and leadership remain firmly tied to her.
The Trinamool Congress split has emerged as one of the most significant political developments in West Bengal ahead of the next phase of state politics. While the rebel legislators have rallied behind expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee and named him as their Leader of the Opposition, senior party leaders have questioned both the legitimacy and political basis of the move.
The dispute intensified on Wednesday after the Trinamool Congress dissolved all its organisational committees, including district and block units, in what party insiders described as a step toward restructuring the organisation amid growing internal unrest.
Loyalists Say Mamata Remains the Face of Trinamool Congress
Senior Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh strongly criticised the rebel lawmakers, arguing that their electoral victories were achieved under the leadership and image of Mamata Banerjee.
According to Ghosh, the MLAs who have now aligned with Ritabrata Banerjee contested elections as Trinamool Congress candidates and benefited from the political goodwill built by Mamata Banerjee over several years.
“The MLAs who won are all Trinamool candidates and have used the image of Mamata Banerjee to win. She worked hard to ensure their success. An expelled leader cannot become the head of a political party,” Ghosh said while responding to the developments.
Party leaders have repeatedly stressed that Mamata Banerjee remains the original and undisputed face of the Trinamool Congress. They argue that an expelled member cannot claim authority over the party or represent its elected legislators in the Assembly.
The Trinamool Congress split has also raised questions about the future of the party’s legislative strength and organisational structure. Political observers note that while the rebel group may have numbers in the Assembly, the battle over legitimacy is likely to continue both politically and legally.
Party Restructuring Signals Effort to Contain Damage
Earlier in the day, the Trinamool Congress dissolved all party committees across various levels. The move was interpreted as an attempt to reorganise the party machinery and consolidate support around the existing leadership.
Leaders close to Mamata Banerjee described the decision as part of a larger strategy to rebuild the organisation and prevent further defections. The dissolution of district and block committees is expected to pave the way for fresh appointments in the coming weeks.
The Trinamool Congress split has exposed divisions that had reportedly been developing within the party for some time. However, senior leaders insist that the organisation remains intact and capable of overcoming the current challenge.
Political analysts believe the restructuring exercise could help the party reassert control over its grassroots network, which has traditionally been one of its strongest assets in West Bengal politics.
Assembly Numbers and Political Implications
The declaration by 58 MLAs that they constitute the principal Opposition has created a new political equation inside the West Bengal Assembly. By naming Ritabrata Banerjee as their Leader of the Opposition, the group has sought to establish itself as a separate political force.
However, loyalists argue that the Trinamool Congress split cannot automatically transfer political ownership of the party to a faction led by an expelled member. They maintain that voters elected these legislators under the Trinamool banner and with Mamata Banerjee’s leadership at the centre of the campaign.
The controversy is expected to spark debates over legislative procedures, party recognition, and anti-defection provisions in the days ahead. Constitutional experts suggest that the Assembly Speaker’s decisions could play a crucial role in determining the status of the rebel faction.
As the Trinamool Congress split continues to dominate political discussions in West Bengal, both sides are preparing for a prolonged battle over leadership and legitimacy. For now, party loyalists remain firmly behind Mamata Banerjee, insisting that the Trinamool Congress cannot be separated from the leader who built and led it for decades.
The coming weeks are likely to determine whether the party can overcome the current crisis or whether the Trinamool Congress split will reshape West Bengal’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
