Trinamool Rebel MLAs Back Expelled Leader as Opposition Chief, Defying Mamata Banerjee

Fresh signs of internal turmoil have emerged within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) following its recent Assembly election defeat, with a section of party legislators reportedly backing expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee for the post of Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The development has exposed growing divisions within the party and poses a challenge to the leadership's efforts to maintain unity after the electoral setback.

The controversy centers on the appointment of the leader of the opposition. While the party leadership officially nominated senior MLA Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay for the position, sources indicated that several TMC legislators are preparing to support Ritabrata Banerjee instead. Such a move would directly contradict the decision endorsed by party chief Mamata Banerjee and signal a significant rebellion within the legislative wing of the party.

The internal rift deepened further after Ritabrata Banerjee and fellow MLA Sandipan Saha were expelled from the party on allegations of anti-party activities. According to party sources, dissatisfaction among a section of leaders has been growing since the Assembly election results. The resentment is reportedly directed more toward party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee than toward Mamata Banerjee herself, highlighting a widening divide within the organization's leadership structure.

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Concerns over unity became evident when a large number of TMC legislators reportedly skipped a meeting convened at Mamata Banerjee's residence. Sources said discussions and meetings have since been taking place across Kolkata in an effort to bring dissatisfied legislators back into the fold and prevent further fragmentation of the party's legislative unit in the Assembly.

The situation escalated after Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that signatures of certain TMC legislators had been forged on a letter submitted to the Assembly Speaker supporting Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay's candidature. Adhikari claimed that Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha had raised objections regarding the alleged misuse of their signatures. The matter is now under investigation by the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which has reportedly issued notices to several party leaders and questioned key figures in connection with the allegations.

The controversy comes at a difficult time for the Trinamool Congress, which has been grappling with dissent and organizational challenges since losing power in the state. Several leaders have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the party's functioning in recent months. Political opponents have seized on the unrest, with senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh claiming that more leaders could leave the party if the internal crisis remains unresolved. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether the TMC leadership can contain the rebellion and restore stability within its ranks.

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