By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: A significant political crisis has emerged within the All India Trinamool Congress after a group of 58 MLAs broke away from the party’s legislative ranks in the West Bengal Assembly and elected expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, triggering an unprecedented internal rupture in the party’s 28-year history.
The Speaker’s recognition of the breakaway bloc formed after the dissident MLAs submitted their support in writing effectively formalised the shift in numerical strength within the legislature. The group, led by Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, claimed that it represented the “real” legislative unit of the party after crossing the required threshold under anti-defection provisions.
Following the development, the dissident camp announced a new internal structure in the Assembly, naming Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition and appointing senior legislators to key posts including chief whip and deputy leadership roles. Several veteran MLAs also aligned with the breakaway faction, strengthening its position in the House.
Despite the assertion of legislative control, the rebel group maintained that it still recognises party chief Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, while openly distancing itself from the organisational role of national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
In response, the parent party moved to dissolve all organisational committees and frontal wings across West Bengal, signalling a complete reset of its structure amid the escalating crisis. The leadership also questioned the procedural validity of the split, alleging irregularities in the documentation submitted to the Assembly.
The crisis traces back to disputes over the selection of the Opposition leadership after the elections, which later escalated into allegations of forged signatures and an ongoing investigation by the CID, further deepening internal mistrust.
Political observers say the developments represent the most serious challenge yet to the party’s internal cohesion, potentially creating parallel power centres within the organisation and legislature. The unfolding situation has also drawn comparisons with other high-profile political realignments in the country.
As both sides harden their positions, the situation has left the party facing an uncertain organisational future, with questions emerging over leadership authority, unity and control of its legislative strength.