THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kolkata, June 3: In a major political development in West Bengal, expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that the West Bengal Assembly Speaker had accepted the rebel camp’s bid to be recognised as the party’s legislature wing. The move effectively gives the dissident faction control over the TMC legislative party and strengthens Banerjee’s position as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly.
Addressing a press conference after meeting Speaker Rathindra Bose, Ritabrata Banerjee said his camp had submitted the signatures of 58 MLAs elected on the TMC symbol, and that their claim had been accepted.
“The TMC legislative party is a team of 58 MLAs who won on the TMC symbol,” Banerjee said.
58 MLAs Back Ritabrata Banerjee
The development comes after 58 dissident TMC legislators extended support to Ritabrata Banerjee and formally informed the Speaker of their decision. Banerjee claimed that two additional MLAs currently outside West Bengal had also conveyed their support and could soon join the rebel camp.
“Two other MLAs are likely to join us. Once they formally extend their support, our strength will rise further,” he said.
The recognition of the dissident group marks one of the biggest challenges to the authority of the TMC leadership since the party’s defeat in the recent Assembly elections.
Leader of the Opposition Office Opened for Ritabrata
Banerjee said the Speaker had accepted the new composition of the legislature party and that the office designated for the Leader of the Opposition had been opened for him.
The rebel camp also announced a new leadership team. Akhruzzaman has been appointed chief whip, while senior legislators Javed Ahmed Khan, Sandeepan Saha, Sabina Yasmin, and Shiuli Saha will serve as deputy leaders.
According to Banerjee, the relevant documents and appointment letters have already been submitted to the Speaker.
Ritabrata Appeals to Mamata Banerjee
In a significant political message, Ritabrata Banerjee appealed to TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to guide the legislature party despite the ongoing internal rebellion.
“We would request Mamata Banerjee to play the role of the chief adviser of the legislative party,” he said.
At the same time, Banerjee indicated that the dissident faction had little political engagement with Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s national general secretary and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew.
Expulsion and Internal Rift
Ritabrata Banerjee was among two legislators expelled by the TMC on Monday for alleged anti-party activities. The action came shortly after a press conference in which Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari revealed that the Speaker had received a formal complaint from the rebel leader.
Earlier, on June 1, TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged that the expelled leaders were attempting to split the party and had held a secret meeting with several MLAs at a hotel in south Kolkata.