Ritabrata Banerjee, a Trinamool Congress legislator removed from the party for activities against its interests, received recognition from the West Bengal Assembly Speaker as Leader of the Opposition following letters of endorsement from 60 fellow legislators. Addressing the media after the development amid claims of forged signatures, Banerjee stated that Mamata Banerjee continues as the group’s leader and that the move does not aim to divide the organization.
The former communist politician, who entered Trinamool in 2018, received access to the opposition leader’s office. He described the group as the main opposition force that has operated collectively.
Banerjee indicated he would ask Mamata Banerjee to continue providing guidance while leading the party. He also criticized Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, framing the episode as resistance to concentrated personal authority.
Earlier, 58 Trinamool legislators submitted a proposal to Speaker Rathindranath Bose naming Banerjee for the post. The group asserted it represented the authentic legislative presence of the party.
Four legislators—Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Sabina Yasmin, and Seuli Saha—were designated deputy leaders, while Akhruzzaman was appointed chief whip.
The previous week, Abhishek Banerjee had recommended Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay for the opposition leader role and Firhad Hakim as chief whip. The Speaker declined that suggestion after Banerjee and Sandipan alleged forged endorsements. A criminal investigation was launched, and Abhishek received a summons.
Trinamool subsequently expelled both Banerjee and Sandipan. Although the party did not state explicit grounds, reports suggested efforts to create a division.
Banerjee clarified that the legislators were not opposing Mamata’s leadership and intended to function under the Trinamool banner. The party responded by dissolving all internal committees and announced plans for review before reorganization.
The 47-year-old Banerjee began his career as a student activist in the early 2000s, serving eight years as general secretary of the CPM student organization. He advanced rapidly and entered the Rajya Sabha at age 34. Expelled from the CPM in 2017 over lifestyle concerns, he joined Trinamool the following year and received responsibility for its labor wing. In 2024 he returned to the upper house, and earlier this year he secured the Uluberia Purba assembly seat despite a broader BJP victory in the region.
