Trinamool splits in Bengal as Ritabrata Banerjee becomes Leader of Opposition
The Trinamool Congress suffered a major political setback on Wednesday after a large faction of its legislators broke away and installed Ritabrata Banerjee as the new Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
The development marks the most significant internal split within the party since its defeat in the recent Assembly elections and raises fresh questions about the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and the future direction of the party.
Announcing the move, Ritabrata Banerjee said the newly formed Trinamool legislature party currently enjoys the support of 58 MLAs elected on the party symbol, with two more legislators expected to join the group.
He also announced a new leadership structure, naming Javed Ahmed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Sabina Yasmin and Seuli Saha as deputy leaders of the legislature party.
Rebels claim majority support
Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that the breakaway faction represents the “real Trinamool” and claimed the backing of more than two-thirds of the party’s legislators.
“We are the real Trinamool. We have the support of two-thirds of the MLAs. We will continue to fulfil our duty as the opposition party in West Bengal. I am the Leader of the Opposition. I will not cede even an inch of ground to the BJP,” he said.
The faction also announced that Akhruzzaman, MLA from Raghunathganj, will serve as the chief whip in the Assembly.
Despite the split, Ritabrata Banerjee struck a conciliatory tone towards Mamata Banerjee, urging her to continue guiding the party.
“We request Mamata Banerjee to play the role of chief adviser of the TMC legislature party. We are the real and main opposition in the West Bengal Assembly according to parliamentary norms,” he said.
Fresh criticism of Abhishek Banerjee
Expelled TMC leader Sandipan Saha confirmed that the faction had submitted the necessary documents and that the office designated for the Leader of Opposition had already been allotted.
He also launched a sharp attack on Abhishek Banerjee, blaming him for the party’s current predicament.
“The sorry state to which the party has been reduced, in some measure, is a failure on the part of Abhishek Banerjee. If you claim credit when things go well, you must also accept responsibility when things go wrong,” Saha said.
According to Saha, the faction wants Mamata Banerjee to continue offering guidance while the new leadership team manages the party’s affairs inside the Assembly.
The split comes amid growing unrest within the Trinamool Congress following its election defeat, with several leaders openly questioning the party’s leadership and organisational functioning.
The latest rebellion is likely to deepen the political crisis facing Mamata Banerjee as her party battles defections, internal dissent and an emboldened BJP government in West Bengal.
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