A major political crisis has erupted within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after rival factions laid claim to the party’s leadership and organisational structure. The camp led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that it had already finalized a new 24-member National Working Committee and submitted the official list of office-bearers to the Election Commission. According to the submission, Mamata Banerjee remains the party chairperson, with Subrata Bakshi serving as vice-president and Abhishek Banerjee continuing as the national general secretary.

The move came just hours before a dissident faction, led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, held a special session in Kolkata and unveiled its own leadership structure. The rebel group claimed that the previous National Working Committee’s tenure had expired and announced the removal of Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson. Senior MLA Arup Roy was elected to the post, while a separate 30-member National Working Committee was constituted. The dissidents argued that their actions were in accordance with the party constitution and stated that their decisions would also be communicated to the Election Commission.

Mamata Banerjee’s supporters have strongly rejected the rebel faction’s claims, describing the exercise as illegitimate and politically motivated. Senior TMC leaders asserted that the dissidents have no authority to alter the party’s organisational structure and pointed out that several rebel leaders were excluded from the newly submitted committee. The party’s disciplinary committee has also issued show-cause notices to several senior leaders over alleged anti-party activities. With both factions now claiming control over the party’s organisational and legislative wings, the dispute is expected to reach the Election Commission and possibly the courts, setting the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle within the party.