Mamata Banerjee faction tells Election Commission: Party committees valid until 2027, not expired

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday submitted its response to the Election Commission of India, rejecting the rival faction's claim that the party's organisational committees have expired. The faction argued that the committees remain valid until 2027 under the party's constitution.

The response was filed days after the rival group, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, met the Election Commission and staked claim over the party. TMC Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee, who submitted the reply, said it was a 'very detailed' rebuttal of the rebel group's claims.

At the core of the dispute is the tenure of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) committee and the National Working Committee. The rebel faction contends that these committees had a three-year term that expired in 2025. However, the Mamata Banerjee faction points to constitutional amendments made over the years that extended the tenure. According to Kalyan Banerjee, the party constitution was amended in 2000 to increase the term from three to four years, and again in 2006 to five years. These changes, he said, were duly communicated to the Election Commission.

The faction also highlighted that the rebel leaders themselves had recognised the authority of the existing party leadership by contesting the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on the TMC symbol, using candidature papers signed by party chairperson Mamata Banerjee.

Kalyan Banerjee said, 'The organisational committees are valid until 2027. The rebel group's claim that the committees expired is baseless. They have no locus standi to approach the Election Commission.'

The Election Commission will now consider the submissions from both sides before deciding on the rival claims to the party name and symbol.