The Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has claimed to have strengthened its position ahead of its battle before the Election Commission of India (ECI) by inducting several leaders considered close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Following a two-day organisational meeting in Kolkata, the group announced the formation of its state and district committees, a move aimed at reinforcing its claim over the party's symbol and organisational structure. The faction also said it would submit details of the newly constituted committees to the Election Commission as part of its ongoing efforts.

Addressing the media after the meeting, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee said the faction had completed the formation of its state and district committees and appointed eight official spokespersons. He also announced that the group would observe the July 21 Martyrs' Day programme near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Kolkata's Maidan. The event is traditionally associated with the Trinamool Congress, making the announcement a significant political statement by the rebel camp.

According to sources, former West Bengal ministers Jyotipriyo Mullick and Anubrata Mondal, both regarded as longtime associates of Mamata Banerjee, have joined the rebel faction. On Friday, the group named former minister Biplab Mitra as its state president and former Rajya Sabha member Javed Ahmed Khan as the state working president. The faction also announced appointments to several organisational wings, with Sabina Yasmin becoming the state president of the Trinamool Mahila Congress and Baharul Islam heading the minority cell.

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The rebel camp further announced that Jyotipriyo Mullick had been inducted into the state committee, while Anubrata Mondal was named president of the Birbhum district unit. Mullick recently resigned from all party positions, citing health concerns. According to leaders of the faction, Mondal conveyed his consent to join the camp over the phone after being unable to attend the meeting due to ill health. Party leaders said his appointment had been finalised despite his absence from the gathering.

Earlier, the faction had constituted its national working committee, replacing Mamata Banerjee with senior leader Arup Roy as its chairperson. Arup Roy said the formation of the state and district committees was the next organisational step after establishing the national committee. He added that the names of all office-bearers would be submitted to the Election Commission to support the faction's claim in the ongoing organisational dispute.

The meeting also witnessed the participation of several leaders who were previously associated with the Mamata Banerjee-led camp. Former Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen, former MLA Nirmal Ghosh, former minister Jyotsna Mandi and former MLA Tajmul Hossain were among those present. The latest developments indicate that the rebel faction is continuing its efforts to expand its support base as it seeks recognition from the Election Commission and intensifies its challenge to the existing party leadership.

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