KOLKATA – A significant power struggle has erupted within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), as a rebel faction on Monday elected senior MLA Arup Roy as the party's new chairman. This unprecedented move, led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, directly challenges the authority of founding chairperson Mamata Banerjee and signals a deepening crisis within the party.
Dissident Meeting and Election
The special session, held at a hotel, saw rebel MLAs, former councillors, and party functionaries from across West Bengal convene for approximately 31 minutes. During the meeting, a parallel organizational structure was announced, moving the internal conflict beyond legislative disputes into the core party apparatus. Arup Roy, the MLA from Howrah Central, was unanimously elected chairman via a voice vote after a national working committee, initially with 10 members and later expanded to 30, was approved.
Constitutional Challenge to Leadership
Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that the party was facing a "constitutional crisis," citing Article 20 of the TMC constitution. He argued that the article mandates the formation of a national working committee every three years, and the previous committee's tenure, formed on February 12, 2022, expired on February 11, 2026. The rebel faction contended that their actions were in line with party norms and would be reported to the Election Commission.
New Leadership Structure Announced
Beyond Roy's election, the faction also named Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Kunal Ghosh, and Sabina Yasmin as vice-chairpersons. Ritabrata Banerjee, Javed Khan, and Sandipan Saha were appointed general secretaries, while Akhruzzaman Ansari took on the role of treasurer. The new leadership also plans to establish district committees, a state unit, and a panel of spokespersons. Ritabrata Banerjee even extended an invitation to Mamata Banerjee to serve as "chief advisor" if she wished.
Mamata Camp Rejects Legitimacy
The camp loyal to Mamata Banerjee swiftly dismissed the rebel faction's actions, stating they lacked the constitutional authority to convene such a session or alter the party's framework. Senior leader Kunal Ghosh emphasized that "TMC and Mamata Banerjee are synonymous" and that the dissidents had no power to make such changes. He hinted that the developments could lead to a legal battle over the party's legitimacy and warned that several rebel figures, including those named in the new structure, could face disciplinary action for alleged anti-party activities.
Broader Party Turmoil
This internal upheaval comes amidst a challenging period for the TMC, following a recent assembly election defeat. Rebel leaders claim to have the support of roughly 60 to 65 of the party's 80 MLAs, with several MPs reportedly having already defected to the BJP-led NDA. The party has also been grappling with disputes over bank accounts containing substantial funds, adding to the layers of its ongoing crisis.