TMC Crisis Deepens: Rebel MLAs Claim Real Party Status Before Speaker

The internal dispute within the Trinamool Congress, which faced a significant defeat in the West Bengal elections, shows no signs of ending. A fierce battle to claim the title of the real TMC has officially begun within the organization. Several rebel MLAs reached the West Bengal Legislative Assembly to assert their position, while these legislators intend to submit a formal letter to Speaker Rathin Ghosh regarding the election of the Leader of the Opposition and will officially claim that they represent the authentic Trinamool Congress.

Prominent Rebels and Their Claims

Among the prominent rebel MLAs who reached the Assembly are Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay, Sandipan Saha, Sabina Yasmin, Akhruzzaman, and several others, while during the visit, Sandipan Saha made a bold claim, stating that their faction enjoys the support of more than two-thirds of the party's MLAs. This development follows a statement made by West Bengal Minister Tapas Roy on Tuesday, where he predicted an imminent split within the TMC. Roy's claim came amid intense speculation that a large section of TMC MLAs might break away from the party under the leadership of expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee.

Tapas Roy Foresees the End of TMC

Speaking outside the Assembly, Tapas Roy alleged that the Trinamool Congress has given space to individuals with very little political experience, which has led to the current internal differences coming out in the open. He claimed that the TMC is now undergoing a process of disintegration that's inevitable. Roy, the MLA from Maniktala, further stated that the TMC, which has ruled the state for the last 15 years, will eventually be erased from the political map of West Bengal. His remarks have added fuel to the fire of the ongoing leadership crisis.

The Official Party Stance

On the other hand, the mainstream faction of the party has emphasized that the majority of its MLAs stand firmly with party chief and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Senior TMC leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, who has been nominated as the Leader of the Opposition by the party, dismissed any possibility of a major rebellion. He accused the ruling party of trying to break their MLAs and destabilize the opposition. Chattopadhyay stated, "We've no fear that a major rebellion is going to happen, while most of the MLAs will remain with Mamata Banerjee, and the old leaders of the party will maintain their strong control over the Trinamool Congress.

Controversy Over the Leader of the Opposition

Expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee admitted that he met some MLAs at the MLA hostel on Tuesday and shared a meal of 'muri' with them, while however, he refused to comment on speculations that more than 50 MLAs might join his camp, stating that he believes in living each day as it comes. Ritabrata also claimed that no formal resolution was passed to elect Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition. He alleged that the document he and others signed was merely an attendance sheet. Meanwhile, TMC MLA and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh alleged that the Speaker's office refused to accept a letter supporting the proposal by General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee to appoint Chattopadhyay as the LoP. Ghosh, along with MLA Ashima Patra, claimed they were told that no letter from their side would be accepted.

Current Strength and Expulsions

The Trinamool Congress had won 80 seats in the 294 member assembly elections. However, the party's internal stability has been rocked recently. On Monday, 2 MLAs were expelled from the party on charges of engaging in anti-party activities. This move was seen as an attempt to curb dissent, but it appears to have triggered a larger movement among the remaining legislators who are now challenging the central leadership's authority.