Political Turmoil in West Bengal: TMC Faces Major Split

West Bengal's political landscape is undergoing significant turmoil as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) experiences a split, marked by Ritabrata Banerjee's claim to the Leader of the Opposition position with support from 59 MLAs. This upheaval follows Mamata Banerjee's leadership decisions and growing discontent among party members. Allegations of forgery and internal strife have emerged, raising questions about the party's future. As tensions escalate, analysts draw parallels to Maharashtra's political crisis, suggesting a potential permanent division within the TMC. The situation remains fluid, with the party's ability to manage this rebellion in question.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 3, 2026, 19:02 IST

Significant Political Shift in West Bengal

Today, West Bengal's political landscape experienced a major upheaval as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) faced a split, culminating in Firhad Hakim's resignation from the mayoral position in Kolkata. This marked the end of TMC's long-standing governance in a significant urban body. Regarding the party's division, expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee asserted his claim to the Leader of the Opposition position in the assembly, backed by 59 other legislators. Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose acknowledged his claim and granted recognition to his faction, handing over the keys to the Leader of the Opposition's office.

Formation of a New Opposition Group

Ritabrata Banerjee stated that his faction comprises 58 MLAs who won on the party's election symbol, with the possibility of two additional members joining. He announced that Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Sabina Yasmin, and Sheuli Saha would serve as deputy leaders of the TMC legislative group. Banerjee emphasized their intention to oppose policies of the Bengal government that they find objectionable, but clarified that their dissent would not be unfounded. He urged Mamata Banerjee to assume the role of chief advisor to the TMC legislative group, asserting that they are the legitimate opposition party in the West Bengal assembly.

Leadership Disputes and Allegations

The TMC leadership had initially decided to appoint senior leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition, a move rejected by the rebel faction. They submitted a letter declaring Mamata Banerjee as the party leader, Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition, and naming Sheuli Saha, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, and Sabina Yasmin as deputy leaders. Notably, the TMC holds 80 seats in the 294-member assembly, and the rebel group claims to have the support of over two-thirds of the legislators, which could protect them from anti-defection laws in case of future party switching.

Growing Discontent Within the Party

The controversy escalated following the election results, with discussions about the absence of MLAs from TMC meetings becoming prevalent. During a meeting at Mamata Banerjee's residence on May 6, 71 out of 80 MLAs attended, but by May 19, attendance dropped to 65, and only 20 were present by May 31, indicating deepening discontent within the party ranks.

Allegations of Forgery and Expulsions

The situation worsened when Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha complained to the assembly speaker about the alleged forgery of their signatures on the letter regarding the Leader of the Opposition's appointment. They claimed that the process for passing the proposal was never conducted. Following this, the TMC expelled both MLAs for alleged anti-party activities.

Criticism of Party Leadership

After their expulsion, Sandipan Saha criticized the party leadership for supporting unethical practices while sidelining those raising moral concerns. Ritabrata Banerjee accused the party of failing to engage in self-reflection after electoral losses, instead focusing on applauding Abhishek Banerjee.

Underlying Power Struggles

Interestingly, the rebel faction has not directly attacked Mamata Banerjee but has primarily targeted Abhishek Banerjee and his growing influence. Their letter acknowledges Mamata as their leader, with Ritabrata Banerjee affirming his respect for her, while questioning Abhishek's constitutional role in the assembly.

Implications for TMC's Future

Political analysts suggest that this conflict is not merely about the Leader of the Opposition position but signals a power struggle within the TMC. Abhishek Banerjee has emerged as a key figure in recent years, while older party leaders feel increasingly marginalized. This discontent has become more pronounced following recent electoral defeats.

Comparisons to Maharashtra Politics

Analysts have drawn parallels between this situation and the political turmoil in Maharashtra, where a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde resulted in a split within the Shiv Sena. TMC leaders allege that some MLAs are attempting to replicate this model in Bengal. In response to the crisis, Mamata Banerjee claimed that police are intimidating MLAs to facilitate a party split, likening the rebels to Mir Jafar and accusing them of dreaming of a new TMC. Conversely, the BJP has characterized this as an internal crisis for the TMC, with state president Samik Bhattacharya asserting that their party will not open its doors to TMC leaders.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Prospects

Meanwhile, the investigation into the signature controversy has intensified, with several MLAs stating that the signatures on the proposal letter are not theirs. Abhishek Banerjee has also been summoned for questioning. The TMC has sent a new letter reaffirming support for Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, but legal questions remain. This political crisis in West Bengal could escalate further in the coming days, raising the critical question of whether the TMC can manage this rebellion or if it will lead to a permanent division similar to that seen in Maharashtra. Additionally, there are concerns about whether the rebel faction will stake a claim to the TMC's name and election symbol following this split.