TMC factional crisis: Party vows legal fight after rival group seizes Kolkata headquarters
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced it will approach the courts after a rival faction forcibly took control of the party's headquarters in Kolkata on Tuesday. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing internal conflict within the ruling party of West Bengal.
Speaking to reporters, senior TMC leader and state minister Firhad Hakim condemned the takeover, calling it an act of ‘criminal trespass’ by ‘unauthorised elements’ claiming allegiance to a breakaway group. ‘We will not cede our rightful party office to anyone. The law will take its course,’ he said.
The rival faction, led by former TMC heavyweight and now rebel leader Mukul Roy, claims the headquarters belongs to them following a recent party split. Roy, who was expelled from the TMC last month for anti-party activities, has alleged that the current leadership under Mamata Banerjee has strayed from the party’s founding principles.
Police have been deployed outside the party office to prevent any further violence. No injuries have been reported so far. The TMC leadership has filed a formal complaint with the local police station, accusing the rival group of unlawful assembly and property damage.
Political analysts see this as a deepening rift within the TMC, which has dominated West Bengal politics for over a decade. The factional fight comes ahead of crucial local body elections due next year. Both sides have been vying for control of the party machinery and financial resources.
The TMC’s decision to go to court indicates its strategy to resolve the dispute through legal channels rather than street confrontations. The party has also sought an urgent hearing in the Calcutta High Court.
Meanwhile, the rival faction has dismissed the court threat, stating they are ready to fight legally as well. ‘We have all documents proving our claim to the headquarters. Let them go to court,’ said a spokesperson for the Roy faction.
The development has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the TMC of ‘family feud’ that is distracting the government from pressing issues like inflation and unemployment.
This is not the first time a major political party in India has faced a factional takeover of its office. Similar incidents have occurred in other states, often leading to prolonged legal battles. The TMC’s internal strife underscores the challenges of maintaining party discipline in a highly competitive political environment.
