Trinamool Congress Rebel Faction Forms Parallel Committees, Claims Majority Support
The rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, intensified its efforts to establish itself as the original party by announcing its state and district committees on Saturday.
The faction claims the support of approximately 65 out of 80 Trinamool MLAs in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly. The rebels announced district presidents for 26 organisational districts, comprising sitting MLAs and former loyalists of party chief Mamata Banerjee.
Among the notable appointments, Anubrata Mondal, previously considered a close aide of Ms. Banerjee, was named the Birbhum district president of the rebel camp. Other key positions include Narendranath Chakraborty as district president of Paschim Bardhaman, Debasish Kumar for Kolkata South, and MLA Emani Biswas as head of the Jangipur organisational district. Chanchal MLA Prasun Banerjee was appointed chief spokesperson.
The faction also announced plans to hold an annual Martyrs Day event on Kolkata's Mayo Road, near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The Kolkata Police has denied permission to both the Mamata Banerjee-led group and the Ritabrata faction to hold the rally in front of Victoria House, as per past practice.
Former Trinamool MLA from Panihati, Nirmal Ghosh, who had gone missing after being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the R.G. Kar rape and murder case, was seen at the meeting venue of the rebel camp. Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee stated that 'no decision has been made' regarding Ghosh, adding that 'even though he came, there was no discussion.'
Other leaders present at the meeting included former Rajya Sabha MP Shantanu Sen, Trinamool candidate from Ashoknagar Narayan Goswami, and Behala councillor Sushant Ghosh. The rebel camp has been holding several meetings in recent days, signalling a deepening rift within the party.
