TMC split deepens as Ritabrata Banerjee faction meets former councillors, Mamata camp alleges forgery

A breakaway faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Ritabrata Banerjee held its second meeting with former Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) councillors in a week, intensifying a challenge to Mamata Banerjee’s leadership ahead of the civic polls.

Around 47 former TMC councillors attended the meeting at a private banquet hall in Kolkata’s Topsia area, according to people aware of the development. The gathering followed a similar meeting held in New Town on June 22 and was aimed at rebuilding the party’s support base in the city after its poor performance in the assembly elections.

Banners at both meetings featured the TMC’s grass-and-twin-flower symbol and the name “All India Trinamool Congress”, but images of Mamata Banerjee were notably absent.

The loyalist faction of the party responded by filing police complaints, accusing the rebel group of allegedly misusing the party’s name and symbol. TMC joint national secretary Dola Sen lodged complaints at New Town and Pragati Maidan police stations, alleging forgery, impersonation and the circulation of unauthorised documents and communications.

Rebel MLA and party deputy leader in the state assembly Sandipan Saha defended the faction, claiming it represented the “real Trinamool Congress” and had the support needed to continue its political activities.

Meanwhile, both factions have approached Kolkata Police seeking permission to organise the party’s annual Martyr’s Day rally on July 21.

The annual Shahid Dibas rally at Esplanade commemorates 13 Youth Congress workers killed in police firing on July 21, 1993, an event that played a major role in shaping Mamata Banerjee’s political career.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the party would hold the rally regardless of administrative hurdles, while rebel MLA Akhruzzaman said the breakaway faction was also preparing for the event and wanted to organise it at Victoria House.