- TMC has dissolved all party committees and frontal organisations in West Bengal.
- Around 60 MLAs backed rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee in a major challenge to the leadership.
- The party will conduct a full organisational review before reconstituting its structure.
Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress crisis took a dramatic turn on Wednesday after the party dissolved all its committees and frontal organisations in West Bengal following an unprecedented revolt by a majority of its legislators. The move came hours after nearly 60 MLAs openly backed expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee for the post of Leader of the Opposition, defying the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
The development is being viewed as one of the most serious internal challenges faced by the party since its formation in 1998.
Trinamool Congress Crisis Forces Major Organisational Reset
In an official statement, the party announced the immediate dissolution of all organisational committees and frontal wings across the state.
The leadership said it would undertake a comprehensive review of party performance, internal functioning and organisational strength before rebuilding the structure.
According to the statement, the exercise is intended to prepare the party for future political challenges and strengthen its grassroots network.
Why the Rebellion Has Shaken the Leadership
The immediate trigger for the crisis was the controversy surrounding the appointment of veteran leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.
A group of rebel legislators backed Ritabrata Banerjee instead, creating an open confrontation with the party high command.
The rebellion gained further momentum after allegations surfaced that signatures on a communication supporting Chattopadhyay had been forged. Following the controversy, Ritabrata Banerjee and another MLA, Sandipan Saha, were expelled from the party.
What has alarmed the leadership most is the scale of the dissent. More than two-thirds of the party’s legislators reportedly aligned with the rebels, exposing deep divisions within the organisation.
Signs of Trouble Had Been Emerging
Political observers note that indications of dissatisfaction within the party had become visible in recent weeks.
Several MLAs reportedly skipped meetings convened by Mamata Banerjee. During a recent protest march led by the Chief Minister against post-poll violence and the attack on her nephew and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, only a handful of legislators were seen accompanying her.
The rebels have maintained that they continue to recognise Mamata Banerjee as their leader but want a change in legislative leadership within the Assembly.
Loyalists Stand Firm Behind Mamata Banerjee
Despite the rebellion, several senior leaders remain firmly aligned with the Chief Minister.
Among those publicly backing her are Firhad Hakim, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Madan Mitra, Ashok Deb and other long-time party loyalists.
Many of these leaders have been associated with Mamata Banerjee since the formation of the Trinamool Congress and continue to hold influential positions within the party.
What Happens Next?
The dissolution of all organisational units signals that the leadership is preparing for a significant restructuring exercise. The review process is expected to assess performance at every level and identify the causes behind the growing internal unrest.
With a majority of legislators reportedly backing the rebel camp, the outcome of the reorganisation could determine the future direction of the Trinamool Congress and reshape the political landscape of West Bengal in the months ahead.