A dissident bloc within the Trinamool Congress on Monday announced a new leadership structure for the party, electing Arup Roy as chairperson and setting up a 30-member National Working Committee amid an escalating battle over control of the organisation.
The move comes days after a major revolt within the party, with at least 58 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs breaking ranks with the existing leadership. The rebel camp has also been pushing for a larger organisational overhaul while calling on former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to take on a guiding role rather than remain involved in day-to-day party affairs.
Addressing reporters after a special session of the faction, Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee said delegates had unanimously approved the formation of the All India Trinamool Congress Committee and the National Working Committee.
“Arup Roy has been elected as the Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress. Apart from Arup Roy, 29 others have been included, making it a 30-member NWC. The members include Firhad Hakim, Arup Biswas, Rathin Ghosh, Sabina Yasmin, Ritabrata Banerjee, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, and others. The Vice Presidents are Firhad Hakim, Arup Biswas, Rothin Ghosh, and Sabina Yasmin. We will also appoint the District President and form the District Committee,” Banerjee said.
Rebel camp seeks new role for Mamata Banerjee
Banerjee reiterated the faction’s position on Mamata Banerjee’s future role within the party.
“We have repeatedly stated our stance regarding Mamata Banerjee’s role within the TMC. We want ‘Didi’ to assume the responsibility of a mentor and guide us,” he said.
The rebel legislators had earlier backed Ritabrata Banerjee to replace Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly after breaking away from the party leadership.
Speaking briefly after his elevation, Howrah Madhya MLA Arup Roy said, “Kaam karenge.”
TMC MLA Sabina Yasmin defended the decision and said it had the support of those present at the meeting.
“This was decided by the House; we held a meeting, and after gathering everyone’s opinion, Arup Roy was appointed Chairman–it was a decision made with everyone’s consent,” she said.
Rival camps clash over legitimacy
The struggle over which group represents the “real TMC” continued to intensify, with senior party leaders questioning the legitimacy of the rebel leadership.
TMC MP Saugata Roy dismissed Ritabrata Banerjee’s claim to leadership and pointed to his political past.
“We held a press conference today. Mamata Banerjee made the party. Ritabrata and others came from CPI(M). What importance do they hold?” Roy said on Monday.
Dispute spills over to party finances
The confrontation has also extended to the party’s finances and control over its bank accounts.
Former TMC treasurer Aroop Biswas has sought an immediate freeze on the party’s accounts, citing an ongoing dispute over authority within the organisation.
Ritabrata Banerjee has demanded an investigation into the party’s funds and questioned the source of money being used by the organisation.
Responding to the allegations on Sunday, Kunal Ghosh asked the rebel legislators to return funds that had been drawn from the party account.
The turmoil has not been confined to West Bengal. In Delhi, Mamata Banerjee faced another setback after 20 TMC MPs led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar announced their merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
(With inputs from ANI)