TMC Power Struggle Deepens as Rebel Faction Stakes Claim Before Election Commission

The battle for control of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) escalated on Thursday after the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee formally staked its claim before the Election Commission (EC) , while the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC questioned why the poll panel granted a hearing to leaders it says have been expelled.

The Election Commission has asked both Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee to submit their claims and responses on the party's authorised signatories and organisational elections by 5:30 pm on July 6 .

Ritabrata Banerjee, who led a delegation to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners, said the faction had presented its case after informing the EC about a special organisational session held in Kolkata on June 22 . He claimed the meeting complied with party rules and expressed confidence that the Commission would examine the submissions.

The rebel leader asserted that his faction represents the "real" AITC , claiming support from more than two-thirds of the party's MLAs , along with several corporators, councillors and Zila Parishad members. He described the rebellion as a movement against "individual cult" and "dynastic politics" , while denying any alliance with the BJP.

The TMC strongly objected to the EC meeting. Senior leaders Saugata Roy and Sagarika Ghose argued that only authorised signatories of a recognised political party can seek an audience with the Commission's full bench. Ghose also cited the Supreme Court's Shiv Sena judgment , saying a legislature party cannot independently split from or claim ownership of a political party.

The organisational dispute, which intensified after the TMC's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections , is now before the Election Commission, whose decision could determine control over the party's organisation, name and twin-flower election symbol .