Is Mamata Banerjee at risk of losing control over the Trinamool Congress she established three decades ago? Possible defections, a private gathering of numerous legislators and the rise of a dissident faction reportedly seeking to claim the TMC name and its election symbol have raised that prospect. Riju Dutta, the national spokesperson recently suspended by the party, conveyed these rapid developments in the rebel camp to India Today Digital.
The internal crisis in the Trinamool Congress has intensified, prompting doubts about whether Mamata Banerjee can maintain party unity and authority. Riju Dutta asserted that roughly 50 MLAs intend to leave the Mamata Banerjee-led party and attempt to secure its twin-flower symbol.
These statements arrive as the TMC confronts its most significant internal challenge since its founding by Mamata Banerjee in 1998. Disputes over alleged forged signatures for the Leader of the Opposition appointment, the removal of two MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, along with reports of discontent among legislators and senior figures, have fueled speculation of an internal revolt.
Dutta informed India Today Digital that several newly elected TMC MLAs preferred Ritabrata Banerjee for the Leader of the Opposition role in the West Bengal Assembly, while the party leadership instead nominated Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. Ritabrata Banerjee has not confirmed any plans for a split. Attempts to contact him on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Mamata Banerjee and aide Kunal Ghosh acknowledged the party rift on Monday. Mamata stated in a Facebook Live session that TMC MLAs face police pressure and instructions to contact certain individuals. Kunal Ghosh appealed to rebel legislators not to be misled. He accused Ritabrata of trying to split the party through an unapproved closed-door meeting.
In an ABP Ananda interview, Ritabrata denied knowledge of any organized effort by MLAs to form a separate group. The TMC currently holds 80 seats in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly. Under anti-defection rules, a breakaway group would require support from about two-thirds of legislators, or roughly 53 members, to avoid disqualification. Dutta’s claims remain unverified, with no public MLA endorsements or formal submission to the Election Commission.
Speculation about a split grew after Kunal Ghosh alleged that Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha met several legislators at a south Kolkata hotel. Ritabrata denied the claim and threatened legal action. Sources indicated a woman MLA from West Midnapore attended the gathering.
