Rebel TMC MLAs Claim Two-Thirds Majority in Meeting with Election Commission

A delegation of rebel MLAs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, met the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other Election Commissioners in New Delhi on Thursday. The group claimed to represent the 'real TMC' and asserted they hold a two-thirds majority in the party.

The meeting comes amid an ongoing dispute over control of the party between the rebel faction and the group led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Last month, the rebel MLAs removed Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson during a special session, a move that was not recognised by her camp.

The Election Commission had scheduled a hearing with the Ritabrata camp before its full bench at 12 pm. The delegation, comprising Banerjee and nine other rebel MLAs, presented their case at Nirvachan Sadan.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ritabrata Banerjee stated, 'We are TMC as we have over two-thirds majority. The majority of MLAs, councillors, and zila parishad members are with us.'

The Election Commission is expected to decide on the legitimate leadership of the TMC, which could have implications for the party's symbol and future electoral prospects. The rival factions have been battling over control of the party's symbol and flagship events, including the Shaheed Diwas commemorations.