Kolkata
Ownership Battle Intensifies Within Trinamool Congress
Amid growing speculation over Mamata Banerjee’s engagements with Congress leaders in Delhi, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee has asserted that the dissident faction represents the “real TMC”, claiming the support of 64 MLAs and a growing number of MPs while ruling out any merger with the Congress.
The internal crisis within the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) deepened further on Wednesday as rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee claimed ownership of the party, declaring that the dissident camp constituted the “real Trinamool Congress” and had no intention of merging with the Indian National Congress.
Addressing reporters outside the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Ritabrata alleged that the strength of the rebel bloc had increased from 58 to 64 MLAs, with the possibility of another legislator joining soon.
“We are the real Trinamool Congress. We are not merging with the Congress,” he said.
Claim Over Party Ownership
According to Ritabrata, the dissident faction enjoys the backing of a majority of TMC legislators and is steadily gaining support among Members of Parliament, district leaders, and local body representatives.
“The number of MLAs with us has already crossed 64. It may become 65 tomorrow when another MLA joins us. Naturally, we are the real Trinamool Congress,” he said.
He added that a fresh communication reflecting the revised strength of the legislative bloc would soon be submitted to the Speaker.
Delhi Meetings Fuel Speculation
Ritabrata’s remarks came against the backdrop of heightened political speculation following meetings between Mamata Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.
Reports of consultations involving Abhishek Banerjee and senior Congress leaders have further intensified discussions over the future of the Mamata-led faction.
While neither the Congress nor the Banerjee camp has publicly spoken of a merger, the meetings have generated considerable political buzz.
Ritabrata, however, dismissed such possibilities.
“Most legislators are not merging with the Congress. Most MPs are not merging with the Congress. Many district leaders and local body representatives are also not merging with the Congress. Then where is the question of a merger?” he asked.
Support for NDA
The rebel leader reiterated that the dissident MPs in the Lok Sabha would continue extending support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
His remarks gain significance in light of the recent communication sent by 20 rebel TMC MPs to Om Birla, informing him about the formation of a separate parliamentary bloc under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and pledging support to the NDA.
Crisis Expands from Assembly to Parliament
The turmoil within the TMC first surfaced in the state Assembly, where 58 MLAs had defied the party’s official nominee, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, and instead backed Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition.
The dissident camp now claims that number has climbed to 64 MLAs, transforming internal dissent into a battle over legislative legitimacy and organisational control.
The crisis has since spread to Parliament, with senior Rajya Sabha members Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Sushmita Dev resigning from both the Upper House and the party.
Uncertain Road Ahead
When asked what would happen if Mamata Banerjee eventually decided to merge her faction with the Congress, Ritabrata avoided giving a direct response.
“Tomorrow will answer tomorrow’s questions. As of today, the number is 64 and counting,” he said.
His statement underscores the fluid and rapidly evolving nature of what has become perhaps the gravest crisis in the TMC’s 28-year history.
What began as internal dissent has now evolved into a larger struggle over legislative numbers, parliamentary strength, organisational control, and the very identity of the Trinamool Congress.
