The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is reportedly facing a major internal controversy after allegations surfaced that signatures of party legislators were forged on official documents submitted to the West Bengal Assembly. The issue, now widely referred to as “Signgate”, has triggered a CID investigation and intensified political tensions within the party following its defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections.
What triggered the controversy?
The dispute centres on documents linked to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition and the party’s chief whip after the Assembly polls. Questions were raised after allegations emerged that signatures of several TMC MLAs appearing on official Assembly papers were either forged or used without proper consent.
The controversy gained attention after TMC MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha reportedly challenged the authenticity of signatures attached to a letter supporting senior TMC leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay for the post of Leader of the Opposition.
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Following the complaints, the West Bengal Crime Investigation Department (CID) launched a formal probe into the matter, per a report by Hindustan Times.
CID probe and FIR
The Assembly secretary later filed an FIR, after which investigators began recording statements and collecting specimen signatures from MLAs whose names appeared on the disputed documents.
CID officials have already questioned several legislators as part of the investigation.
The probe is expected to determine whether signatures were actually forged, who may have been involved, and whether any criminal wrongdoing took place during the preparation of official Assembly documents.
Why the issue is politically significant
The controversy has become particularly sensitive for the TMC because it comes shortly after the party’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending its 15-year rule in the state.
The BJP formed the government in Bengal for the first time after securing a decisive electoral victory.
The situation escalated further when the TMC expelled Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, accusing them of anti-party activities soon after they publicly questioned the signatures.
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The development fuelled speculation about internal disagreements and factionalism within the party.
The controversy also moved closer to the party’s top leadership after senior TMC leader and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was summoned by the CID in connection with the investigation.
In recent weeks, reports of absent legislators at party meetings and differences among leaders have added to concerns about unity within the organisation.
