TMC Rebels Back Ritabrata Banerjee for Leader of Opposition as Bengal Political Crisis Deepens
A group of rebel TMC MLAs has formally backed Ritabrata Banerjee for the Leader of the Opposition post in the West Bengal Assembly, escalating the ongoing leadership and signature controversy within the party.
June 03, 2026: The internal crisis within the Trinamool Congress has deepened after a group of rebel MLAs submitted a letter to Assembly Speaker Rathindra Basu seeking recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
According to sources, the letter carries the signatures of 58 MLAs and also proposes a new leadership structure within the Assembly. The rebels have recommended Sandipan Saha, Javed Khan, and Shiuli Saha as deputy leaders, while Akhruzzaman has been named as the chief whip. Significantly, the letter identifies Mamata Banerjee as the party president, despite the ongoing rift within the organisation.
While the Speaker has formally accepted the letter, no final decision has been announced yet. If the proposal is approved, Uluberia MLA Ritabrata Banerjee will officially be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.
Signature Controversy Intensifies Political Battle
The latest development comes against the backdrop of an escalating controversy over alleged forged signatures in a separate proposal supporting senior Trinamool MLA Shobhandev Chatterjee for the Leader of the Opposition post.
The dispute began after allegations emerged that the signatures of several Trinamool MLAs had been forged in a letter sent by the party leadership to the Speaker. According to claims made by the rebel camp, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha brought the matter to the Assembly's attention, leading to the filing of an FIR at Hare Street Police Station.
An investigation is currently underway, with the CID assisting local police. So far, investigators have reportedly questioned 13 MLAs as part of the probe.
The controversy has further exposed divisions within the Trinamool Congress. Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha were expelled by the party, but the move appears to have strengthened the rebel faction, with several MLAs openly voicing criticism of the current leadership.
Political observers have increasingly questioned whether the party is heading towards a formal split, as both camps continue to claim legitimacy within the organisation.
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Speaker Yet to Take Final Call on Opposition Leadership
Amid growing tensions, both factions have been engaged in a battle to establish numerical strength within the Assembly. While Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee reportedly submitted a separate letter seeking immediate recognition of Shobhandev Chatterjee as Leader of the Opposition, the document could not be processed as the Speaker was away from Kolkata at the time.
On Wednesday, shortly after returning to the city, Speaker Rathindra Basu met a delegation of rebel MLAs led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The group submitted its letter claiming the support of 58 legislators, and the Speaker formally accepted the document.
However, no immediate decision was announced. According to Assembly sources, the Speaker directed officials to verify the signatures on the letter before taking a final call. The verification process is expected to determine which faction commands majority support among the MLAs.
Ritabrata Banerjee leads TMC rebellion, submits 58 signatures in opposition to party's chosen LoP
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Fresh speculation has also emerged over the rebel group's continued recognition of Mamata Banerjee as party president. Bagnan MLA Arunabh Sen clarified that while he continues to regard Mamata Banerjee as his leader, he does not accept Abhishek Banerjee's leadership.
"I still accept Mamata Banerjee as my leader. But I have never accepted Abhishek Banerjee as a leader, and I will not accept him in the future," Sen reportedly said.
The current dispute has its roots in meetings held after the Assembly election results were declared. During a gathering of newly elected MLAs at Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence on May 6, legislators reportedly authorised her to decide the appointments of the Leader of the Opposition, deputy leaders, and chief whip.
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- Expelled TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee pic.twitter.com/BnOxdeSL6f
Subsequently, the party nominated Shobhandev Chatterjee for the Leader of the Opposition post, along with other key Assembly positions. However, complications arose when MLAs were later asked to sign minutes related to those decisions, leading to allegations that signatures were obtained under disputed circumstances.
As the verification process continues, all eyes remain on the Speaker's office, where a final decision could determine not only the next Leader of the Opposition but also the future balance of power within the Trinamool Congress.