A fresh political storm has erupted within the Trinamool Congress after a rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee announced the formation of a parallel working committee and demanded the suspension of the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.
The development came to light on Monday afternoon following a meeting attended by several dissident leaders and MLAs at a hotel in New Town, Kolkata. The group claimed to represent the "real grassroots Trinamool Congress" and unveiled an alternative organisational structure, signalling a major escalation in internal tensions.
The dissident camp also announced that it had removed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from the position of party chairperson within its newly constituted framework.
Rebel leaders form parallel leadership structure
Following the announcement made after the meeting, Howrah Central MLA Arup Roy has been appointed as the new chairman of the rebel faction's committee.
The group also constituted an 11-member working committee to oversee its activities going forward.
Ritabrata, who has emerged as one of the prominent faces of the dissident camp, said the initiative was aimed at reclaiming what they described as the party's original grassroots identity.
The meeting was attended by multiple rebel legislators and leaders who discussed the future organisational roadmap.
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Abhishek Banerjee currently serves as the party's All India General Secretary. (X/@dr_harish_s)
Abhishek Banerjee at the centre of controversy
The most significant decision emerging from the gathering was the demand to suspend Abhishek Banerjee from the party.
The dissident faction passed a resolution seeking action against him, although it remains unclear what immediate impact such a move would have within the officially recognised Trinamool Congress organisation.
Abhishek Banerjee currently serves as the party's All India General Secretary and is considered one of the most influential leaders after Mamata Banerjee.
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The official Trinamool Congress leadership has not yet issued a response to the claims made by the Trinamool led by Ritabrata.
