The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has encountered significant internal turmoil after its recent defeat in the April 2026 assembly elections, which marked the end of a 15-year governance era. As a reaction to this electoral setback, a faction of 58 out of the party’s 80 newly elected MLAs has surged forward, attempting to assert control over the TMC Legislature Party. This move effectively isolates Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee from the party’s leadership structure.

In a dramatic turn of events, the rebel MLAs approached Assembly Speaker Rathindranath Bose in an effort to formally lay claim to the leadership of the TMC’s legislative segment. This faction is spearheaded by former members Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, who allege they possess the requisite two-thirds majority to circumvent anti-defection laws.

During these developments, the TMC’s high command took swift retaliatory actions, announcing the dissolution of all party committees and associated organisations across West Bengal. This move was framed as necessary for “introspection and performance review.” Nevertheless, the validity of this decision has led to contentious discussions regarding its legal legitimacy.

Ritabrata Banerjee Emerges as Leadership Candidate

As events unfolded, Ritabrata Banerjee made statements underscoring the breakaway faction’s distance from Abhishek Banerjee. He asserted that neither the legislative group nor the organisational structure would have any connection to him, indicating a clear break in allegiance. Banerjee’s comments highlighted a public perception the rebels aim to cultivate, maintaining that they are still loyal to party leader Mamata Banerjee.

In a formal request to Mamata Banerjee, the rebel group proposed she take on a role as their chief advisor, entrusting her with guiding them as they navigate their newly positioned opposition status. Ritabrata Banerjee further elaborated that while they respect Mamata’s leadership, the present direction of the party necessitated a change in the legislative leadership.

Other rebel MLAs, such as Reyat Hossain Sarkar and Gulam Rabbani, expressed their continued support for Mamata Banerjee while endorsing Ritabrata for his leadership capabilities on the assembly floor. Their statements were crafted to mitigate potential backlash from TMC supporters who might view the rebellion unfavourably.

Loyalist Response and Counteractions

The remaining loyalists within the TMC, numbering just over 20 MLAs, rallied around senior party leader Kunal Ghosh to defend the traditional leadership structure. Ghosh strongly denounced the actions of the rebel faction, arguing that their legal strategies were implausible and based on flawed foundations.

Ghosh reaffirmed Mamata Banerjee’s vital role in the party, asserting that she embodies the true essence of the TMC and that the current dissenters were once supported by her as candidates. He also revealed that the TMC High Command had lodged a counter-objection with the Speaker, amassing evidence of overlapping signatures on documents submitted by both factions. This situation necessitated further examination of parliamentary legalities.

In the backdrop of this unfolding drama, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has observed the challenges faced by the TMC with significant interest. The BJP highlighted this internal strife as indicative of a decline in dynastic politics, with Minister Dilip Ghosh remarking on the inherent vulnerabilities within a family-centric political structure. Ghosh’s commentary reflects the ongoing power dynamics among political rivals in West Bengal.

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