Mamata Banerjee has moved the Election Commission with the official list of TMC office bearers after a rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee named Arup Roy as the party’s new chairperson, intensifying the battle for control of the Trinamool Congress.
TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee participates in a protest march by hawkers in Kolkata's Dharmatala area on June 17, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
A fresh confrontation has erupted inside the Trinamool Congress, with Mamata Banerjee formally presenting the party’s office-bearers list to the Election Commission even as a rebel faction announced former West Bengal minister Arup Roy as the new chairperson of the party.
The competing claims have pushed the internal crisis into a new phase. Both camps are now asserting legitimacy, with control over the party leadership, organisational structure and election symbol emerging as the central issues in the battle for the “real TMC” tag.
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According to the list submitted to the Election Commission, Mamata Banerjee continues to hold the post of Trinamool Congress chairperson. The document, reflecting the party’s organisational structure as of June 20, also names Subrata Bakshi as vice-president, Abhishek Banerjee as national general secretary, Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen as joint secretaries, and Subhasish Chakraborty as treasurer.
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The submission includes a 24-member National Working Committee.
The development came a day after Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Ritabrata Banerjee announced a parallel leadership structure following a special session attended by rebel leaders.
Addressing reporters, Ritabrata Banerjee said Arup Roy had been elected chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress and that a new 30-member National Working Committee had been constituted.
“A special session of the All India Trinamool Congress was organised here today. During this session, the All India Trinamool Congress Committee and the NWC were constituted through a unanimous election of delegates. Arup Roy has been elected as the Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress,” he said.
He said the new committee includes Firhad Hakim, Arup Biswas, Rathin Ghosh, Sabina Yasmin, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha and others. Firhad Hakim, Arup Biswas, Rathin Ghosh and Sabina Yasmin were named vice-presidents.
“We will also appoint the District President and form the District Committee,” he added.
Even while backing a new leadership arrangement, the rebel camp said it wanted Mamata Banerjee to remain associated with the organisation in an advisory capacity.
“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,” Ritabrata Banerjee said.
The crisis follows a rebellion by at least 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs, who have reportedly broken ranks with the existing leadership and formed a separate faction. The rebel group later supported Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly in place of Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.
Amid the escalating dispute, the TMC disciplinary committee has issued show-cause notices to several senior leaders, including Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Arup Roy, Javed Khan, Rathin Ghosh, Biplab Mitra, Snehasis Chakraborty and Sabina Yasmin.
The notices allege that the leaders deliberately engaged in anti-party activities.
Reacting to the unfolding developments, West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh criticised the party and questioned the process through which leadership changes were being announced.
“Who had told them to make her the chairperson? Who told them to remove her? The drama is still ongoing. TMC is a drama party. I used to call it a circus party. This is not at all important for the people of Bengal and us,” Ghosh told ANI.
Responding to TMC’s criticism of the state government over the alleged reduction in the Minority Affairs Department budget, Ghosh said the government worked for all sections of society.
“This is not a minority government. This is a government for society, sabka saath, sabka vikas,” he said.
Ghosh also contrasted the BJP-led government with the TMC and alleged that the ruling party in West Bengal had failed to deliver benefits to people. He further accused the party of damaging law and order in the state.
The political contest inside the Trinamool Congress now appears headed towards a larger organisational and legal battle, with rival camps seeking recognition as the legitimate leadership of the party.
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