A major political crisis has erupted within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with former Rajya Sabha member and MLA Ritabrata Banerjee emerging as the face of a growing rebellion against the party leadership. Once regarded as a rising star of the CPI(M) before joining the TMC in 2018, Ritabrata is now leading a dissident faction that threatens to trigger the biggest internal challenge faced by the party since its formation.
The crisis intensified after the TMC expelled Ritabrata Banerjee over alleged anti-party activities. Shortly after his expulsion, the rebel leader claimed that at least 60 of the party’s 80 MLAs were backing his camp. Political observers note that such a number would exceed the two-thirds threshold required under anti-defection laws, potentially allowing the rebel faction to stake a claim over the party’s legislative wing and organizational structure.
The developments have drawn comparisons with the 2022 Maharashtra political upheaval, when Eknath Shinde led a successful rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership. Similar to that episode, Ritabrata Banerjee and fellow rebel MLA Sandipan Saha are seeking recognition for their faction within the West Bengal Assembly. Rebel legislators have reportedly demanded that Ritabrata be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition, further intensifying speculation about a formal split within the TMC.
Ritabrata Banerjee began his political career through the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), and rose rapidly through the ranks. He gained national prominence as the organisation’s General Secretary and later became one of the youngest CPI(M) leaders to enter the Rajya Sabha. However, a series of controversies and disagreements with senior party leaders led to his expulsion from the CPI(M) in 2017.
He joined the TMC in 2018 and was subsequently appointed to key organisational positions, including the leadership of the party’s labour wing, INTTUC. Ritabrata later represented the TMC in the Rajya Sabha and went on to win an Assembly seat in the 2026 West Bengal elections, despite the party suffering significant electoral losses across the state.
The rebellion gained momentum following the TMC’s disappointing performance in the recent Assembly elections. Ritabrata openly criticised the leadership style of TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and questioned the party’s dependence on political consultancy firm I-PAC. The dispute escalated after he and Sandipan Saha alleged that their signatures had been forged on a resolution related to the appointment of the opposition leader in the Assembly.
While the TMC leadership responded by expelling both leaders, the dissident camp has continued to mobilise support among legislators. Reports suggest that the rebel faction is holding meetings in Kolkata and claims the backing of more than 60 MLAs. Notably, the group has maintained that its opposition is directed at Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership and not at party chief Mamata Banerjee, whom it continues to recognise as the party’s principal leader.
The unfolding crisis has placed the TMC leadership under significant pressure at a time when the party is already grappling with the aftermath of a major electoral setback. Political analysts believe the outcome of the rebellion could have far-reaching implications for the future of the party and the broader political landscape of West Bengal.