Open Revolt Against Mamata Banerjee: Rebel TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee Becomes Bengal's Leader of Opposition

Kolkata: A massive political upheaval struck West Bengal as rebel TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, who was recently expelled by the party, has been appointed as the Leader of the Opposition of West Bengal Assembly. This comes after he reached the Assembly with 58 out of TMC's 80 MLAs, in a move that threatens a major split within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and challenges the leadership of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Ritabrata Banerjee's arrival at the Assembly with the support of 58 legislators fuelled questions over who now represents the ‘real’ TMC. Ritabrata has claimed that he will “save” the TMC, adding, “We will work together as a team.”

‘Abhishek Banerjee Has No Relation With This Legislative Assembly’: Ritabrata

Launching a sharp attack on TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Ritabrata said, “As far as the 18th West Bengal Legislative Assembly is concerned, Abhishek Banerjee has no relation with this Legislative Assembly.”

Reiterating claims of his signature being forged in party documents submitted to the Speaker earlier, Ritabrata said, “As a member of the Parliament, [Abhishek] has sent a letter earlier with forged documents. So it is the prerogative of the Speaker. What he will do, I don't know... If such a thing has happened and it is proved, then the Speaker of this legislative assembly can write to cancel the membership of Abhishek Banerjee from the Lok Sabha of India.”

Rebels Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha had earlier alleged that their signatures had been forged in a letter endorsing Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP).

The rebellion burst into the open after Ritabrata Banerjee and MLA Sandipan Saha were expelled by TMC for alleged anti-party activities, prompting the dissidents to pitch Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee's camp had formally sought the recognition of Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP).

‘Want Mamata To Be Our Chief Advisor': Ritabrata

After being appointed as the Leader of the Opposition, Ritabrata said, “This two-thirds strong legislative team of the Trinamool Congress inside the 18th West Bengal Legislative Assembly does not believe in 'I', it believes in 'we'…We want Mamata Banerjee to be our chief advisor, to give us advice that will help us in strengthening our position as the opposition."

‘Not An Act Of Charity’: Rebel MLA

Reacting to the appointment of Ritabrata as the LoP, TMC MLA Javed Ahmed Khan said, “We presented 58 MLAs. After verifying everyone's names, cross-checking the list, and completing all necessary formalities, the Speaker subsequently stated that he would examine the matter. He arrived, conducted the examination, and then officially handed over the recognition to us. This was not an act of charity bestowed upon us; rather, we simply received what was rightfully ours.”

He added, "Today, if 60 out of 80 members gather in one place and unanimously declare, "This is our leader", then that is the true essence of democracy..."

Khan further said that one should not remain in a party where dictatorship prevails and where democratic principles cease to exist. “So, what are we to do? What are we supposed to say? We are indeed a part of this party; however, we intend to operate strictly within the framework of a democratic system, where we, 60 MLAs collectively make all decisions... We look to our leader, Mamata Banerjee, whom we revere as a mother figure, to serve as our Chief Advisor,” he added.

‘TMC Will Break Apart…’: BJP's Dilip Ghosh

On 58 TMC MLAs backing Ritabrata Banerjee, state minister and BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said, “I said earlier also that if the party loses the election, it will break apart. The main issue is that it was a family party, and people wanted to leave but were afraid.”

Ghosh added, “As the Prime Minister said, dynastic politics must end; this step is in that direction. People are moving away from family rule. In the end, only Mamata and her nephew will remain; everyone else will leave.”