Mamata Says Delays Undermine Fairness in AITC Rivalry Before EC

The battle for control of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) intensified after party chairperson Mamata Banerjee urged the Election Commission (EC) to conclude its inquiry into rival claims over the party without granting any further extensions to the opposing faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.

In a fresh communication to the poll panel, Mamata asserted that her camp had complied with the EC's directions by submitting its response within the July 6 deadline, while the rival faction failed to file its comments despite receiving two extensions, first until July 10 and later July 25.

She argued that the continued delay indicated the opposing camp had no credible response to the submissions already made by her faction. According to the letter, the absence of a reply could reasonably be interpreted as an acceptance of the issues raised in the July 6 representation.

Mamata Banerjee further alleged that the rival group was attempting to create fresh evidence to strengthen what she described as an otherwise weak case. She maintained that her camp had already disputed every allegation and warned that additional time would compromise the fairness of the proceedings.

Calling the dispute politically significant for West Bengal, she urged the EC to complete its examination at the earliest, stressing that justice must inspire public confidence and that repeated extensions risk undermining the credibility of the process.

The controversy reached the Election Commission on July 2, when the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction claimed to be the legitimate AITC leadership and sought recognition of organisational changes allegedly approved during a special session held on June 22.

The EC subsequently sought replies from both camps. While Mamata's faction responded within the stipulated timeline, the rival group requested additional time twice.

In its earlier submission, the Mamata Banerjee-led camp maintained that all organisational committees remain valid until 2027 under the party constitution, arguing that the rival faction's claim that these bodies ceased to exist in 2025 is factually and legally untenable.