Rebel TMC faction gains former ministers, pushes claim for party symbol

In a development that could further deepen the internal rift within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed the support of several prominent party loyalists, including former minister Jyotipriyo Mullick and former Birbhum district TMC president Anubrata Mondol. The move is seen as an attempt to strengthen the group's claim before the Election Commission of India (EC) for the party's symbol and funds.

The rebel faction, which broke away from the mainstream TMC led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, held a two-day meeting in Kolkata concluding on [date not provided]. Following the meeting, the group announced the formation of state and district committees, as well as the appointment of eight spokespersons.

“Our state committee and district committees have been formed. We have nominated eight spokespersons for our party. We will also commemorate July 21 Martyrs Day near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Maidan,” Ritabrata Banerjee told reporters.

The faction's claim to have drawn in loyalists of Mamata Banerjee is part of its effort to demonstrate organisational strength and legitimacy to the EC, which is tasked with deciding which faction is the legitimate heir to the TMC's name, symbol, and assets. The EC has previously been approached by both sides, and the matter remains pending.

Jyotipriyo Mullick, a former food and forest minister, and Anubrata Mondol, a key figure in Birbhum, are among those the rebel faction says have joined its ranks. The inclusion of such figures could boost the group's claim, though the mainstream TMC has dismissed the faction's assertions.

The July 21 Martyrs Day commemoration is significant in TMC history, marking the day in 1993 when 13 party workers were killed in a clash with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists. Both factions are likely to hold separate events.