TMC Split Complete; Rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee Named Leader of Opposition in West Bengal

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress split in West Bengal has been formalised, with Speaker appointing expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition. The rebel faction commands the support of 59 MLAs — well above the two-thirds threshold of 53 required under the anti-defection law to legitimise a split among TMC's 80 assembly members. This means the rebel group can also lay claim to the TMC name and official party symbol.

The development followed TMC leadership's official announcement dissolving all party committees and affiliated organisations in West Bengal in the wake of intense internal conflict. Subsequently, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha submitted a letter signed by 58 MLAs to the Speaker nominating Ritabrata as legislature party leader and Leader of the Opposition, on the basis of which the Speaker made the appointment.

The crisis was triggered by the party's heavy defeat in the recent assembly elections, after which a majority of TMC MLAs turned against Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal is currently led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who began his political career in Congress, rose to become Mamata's right-hand man in TMC, and later crossed over to BJP. Allegations are being raised that BJP is behind the current developments within TMC as well. Meanwhile, ED raids are reported to be underway at the residence of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee.