Is West Bengal on the cusp of its own Sena-NCP-style political quake in 2026? Is TMC hurtling towards its biggest internal rupture under Mamata Banerjee? Or is this merely a storm in a Trinamool teacup—destined to blow over before it becomes a political cataclysm?
Those queries echoed across state political corridors on June 3 as the most serious rebellion in the history of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appeared to burst into the open. What began as whispers of discontent inside the party has now transformed into a full-throated challenge to the authority of party supremo Mamata, with 58 dissident MLAs rallying behind expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee for the crucial post of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly.
For a party whose electoral symbol, the ‘Jora Ghas Phul’ (Twin Flowers on Grass), has long represented unity under a single towering leader (Mamata), the development has exposed what many observers call the deepest political fault line within the party since its inception in 1988.
The numbers alone tell a dramatic story. Of the 80 seats won by the TMC in the 2026 Assembly elections, 58 legislators have reportedly submitted letters backing Ritabrata as the Legislature Party Leader. That figure is not merely symbolic but blithely crosses the two-thirds threshold required to potentially shield a breakaway faction from disqualification and unchecked ‘floor-crossing’ under the 1985 Anti-Defection Law.
In political arithmetic, numbers matter, and in political theatre, timing matters even more. But in Bengal, both have reappeared at once.
IS WEST BENGAL WITNESSING ITS OWN SENA-NCP MOMENT?
Recent political developments in Bengal are beginning to echo the unmistakable rhythms of the ‘Maharashtra model’ that upended regional politics in 2022.
What initially appeared to be routine post-election turbulence within the TMC has rapidly evolved into an acrimonious, high-stakes power struggle, prompting comparisons to the dramatic Shiv Sena and NCP rebellions that redrew Maharashtra’s political landscape.
The similarities are difficult to ignore. An electoral setback, growing murmurs of dissent within the legislative ranks, closed-door strategy sessions, hotel huddles away from the public gaze, rebel lawmakers challenging the party’s official line, and finally, the swift expulsion of dissident leaders as the battle for political legitimacy spills into the open.
Together, these developments have transformed the state’s political grapevine into an arena of intense speculation, with questions swirling over whether the Trinamool Congress is inching towards a vertical split of its own.
What was once dismissed as post-defeat frustration is now being viewed through a far more consequential lens. The growing unrest among legislators, competing claims over the party’s legislative leadership and the emergence of a powerful rebel bloc have raised fresh doubts about the cohesion of Mamata’s political outfit.
The milieu in Kolkata has become thick with intrigue. Political observers speak of parallel power centres, while party insiders whisper about shifting loyalties and mounting frustration within the ranks. The developments have inevitably revived memories of Maharashtra, where legislative arithmetic eventually challenged organisational authority and altered the balance of power.
Whether Bengal is truly heading towards its own ‘Shinde-Pawar moment’ remains to be seen. Yet the parallels have become too striking to dismiss. With rebel leaders being expelled, dissident camps consolidating support and questions emerging over who represents the ‘real’ voice of the party in the assembly, the TMC finds itself navigating one of the most tumultuous chapters in its political history.
THE RITABRATA RIPPLE TURNS TIDAL
Just weeks after the TMC suffered a crushing electoral setback on May 4, losing power in Bengal to the BJP for the first time, the opposition party now finds itself battling a crisis from within.
Sources indicate that Ritabrata, accompanied by fellow rebel MLA Sandipan Shah and other dissident legislators, met Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose and submitted formal letters of support signed by 58 MLAs. Their demand was straightforward but politically explosive: recognise Ritabrata as the LoP.
The move effectively challenges the authority of the official TMC leadership, which had already nominated veteran leader Sovandeb Chatterjee for the same post. The clash is no longer merely ideological. It is institutional. Two camps. Two leadership claims. One Assembly. And potentially, one historic split.
MAMATA BANERJEE’S BIGGEST TEST YET
For nearly three decades, Mamata has been the unquestioned face, voice and force behind the TMC. She built the party from scratch, toppled the seemingly invincible Left Front government, transformed herself from street fighter to Chief Minister and turned her party into Bengal’s dominant political force. Yet Wednesday’s developments present perhaps the most formidable organisational challenge of her political career. The crisis is not merely about who occupies the LoP chair but about authority and loyalty.
Most importantly, it is about whether Mamata still commands the same unquestioned influence over the party’s legislative wing that she once did. The support extended to Ritabrata by 58 legislators suggests a significant portion of the party may be willing to chart an independent course. If that perception gains momentum, the challenge before the TMC leadership could become existential.
THE OFFICIAL CAMP DRAW ITS BATTLE LINES
The Mamata camp, however, is far from surrendering ground. Senior party leader Kalyan Banerjee publicly shared a letter outlining the TMC’s official nominations for Assembly leadership positions. Under the proposal, Sovandeb was designated as the LoP. MLA Ashima Patra and Nayana Bandopadhyay were named deputy leaders. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim was designated chief whip.
The party formally urged Speaker Rathindra Bose to approve these appointments swiftly, arguing that legislative tradition and established precedent support its position. The communication cited multiple instances from previous Assembly terms—2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021—where Speakers accepted leadership nominations submitted by recognised political parties.
The TMC also pointed to the Speaker’s recognition of Adhikari as Leader of the Opposition in 2021 as an example of established parliamentary practice. The argument from the official camp is clear: organisational legitimacy should outweigh legislative rebellion. The rebels, however, appear determined to test that proposition.
Suspended TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta added fresh fuel to the already raging speculation that West Bengal may be witnessing its own version of Maharashtra’s political upheaval. Drawing parallels with the Shiv Sena-NCP split that redrew Maharashtra’s political map, Dutta claimed that the rebel bloc within the party was preparing to project itself before the Assembly Speaker as the real TMC.’
According to him, the dissident camp had already crossed the critical halfway mark and was backed by more than 50 legislators. If the numbers hold, the rebels will comfortably breach the two-thirds threshold required under anti-defection provisions, giving them a formidable claim over the party’s legislative wing. In that scenario, Dutta argued, the faction’s nominee—not the one backed by the party high command—would ultimately occupy the Leader of the Opposition’s chair in the assembly.
As the dust from the assembly election defeat continues to settle, the fault lines within the Trinamool Congress appear to be widening rather than healing. What initially looked like routine post-election disappointment has gradually evolved into a deeper crisis of confidence. Sources familiar with the developments suggest that much of the simmering resentment inside the party is directed not at TMC supremo Mamata but at party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who has increasingly become the focal point of internal discontent.
The extent of the divide became impossible to ignore on June 1, when nearly 60 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs reportedly skipped a crucial meeting convened at Mamata’s residence. In Bengal’s political circles, the absences spoke louder than any public statement. Behind closed doors, frantic efforts were underway in Kolkata as senior leaders scrambled to placate disgruntled legislators and prevent the growing unrest from snowballing into an outright organisational rupture.
POLITICAL TEMPEST OVER ALLEGED SIGNATURE FORGERY DEEPENS TMC TURMOIL
The rebellion within the TMC took an even more dramatic turn after allegations of forged signatures triggered a political firestorm, exposing the widening cracks beneath the party’s once-unified facade.
The storm gathered force on Monday when rebel leaders Ritabrata Banerjee, the MLA from Uluberia-Purba in Howrah, and Sandipan, the legislator from the Entally constituency in Kolkata, were shown the door by the party leadership. The timing was striking. Their expulsion came just 15 minutes after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed a press conference, revealing that Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose had received a formal complaint from dissident TMC legislators alleging irregularities in party documents.
If politics is often described as a game of timing, Monday’s developments suggested that the battle within the TMC had moved well beyond closed-door disagreements and into open warfare.
At the heart of the controversy lies a serious allegation. Ritabrata and Sandipan claimed that signatures of several Trinamool MLAs—including their own—had been forged on a party resolution submitted on May 6. The document pertained to the appointment of key Assembly functionaries, including the LoP, Deputy Leader and Chief Whip.
The charge sent shockwaves through Bengal’s political establishment. What began as an internal disagreement over leadership positions suddenly transformed into a controversy involving allegations of document manipulation, authenticity and institutional credibility.
The party leadership responded swiftly and decisively. Within hours, the Trinamool Congress expelled both Ritabrata and Sandipan, accusing them of indulging in anti-party activities and acting against the organisation’s interests.
The expulsions, however, only intensified speculation that the conflict was no longer about individual grievances but about competing centres of power emerging within the party.
Adding further political sting to the episode, Mamata launched a pointed attack on Ritabrata. Drawing attention to his turbulent political journey, Mamata reportedly branded him a ‘betrayer’—a particularly loaded description in Bengal’s political vocabulary.
The remark carried symbolic weight. Ritabrata himself had been expelled from the CPI(M) in 2017 before finding political space within the TMC. His latest confrontation with another party leadership has inevitably invited fresh political commentary, with rivals portraying the episode as yet another chapter in a career marked by rebellion and controversy.
“Suspended TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta added fresh fuel to the already raging speculation that West Bengal may be witnessing its own version of Maharashtra’s political upheaval. Drawing parallels with the Shiv Sena-NCP split that redrew Maharashtra’s political map, Dutta claimed that the rebel bloc within the party was preparing to project itself before the Assembly Speaker as the real TMC”
But beyond the rhetoric, the forgery allegations have emerged as a fresh flashpoint in an already volatile political climate. For the rebel camp, the issue has become a question of legitimacy and internal democracy. For the party leadership, it is being framed as an attempt to undermine organisational discipline at a time when the Trinamool is already grappling with the aftershocks of electoral defeat.
As accusations and counteraccusations continue to fly, one thing has become increasingly clear: what was once dismissed as routine factionalism has evolved into a full-blown struggle for control, credibility and political inheritance within Bengal’s principal opposition party.
The battle for the TMC’s future is no longer being fought in whispers. It is now unfolding in public view—through expulsion orders, prattles from spokespersons, and allegations serious enough to shake the foundations of the party itself.
Launching a sharp attack on the opposition camp, Adhikari remarked, “Trinamool’s corruption did not stop with the people of Bengal; it reached its own legislators. The party has allegedly stolen the signatures of its own MLAs. The complaint has come from within—from Ritabrata and Sandipan. We have absolutely no role in this matter.”
The controversy soon snowballed into a full-fledged political flashpoint. Meanwhile, the allegations have moved beyond political rhetoric and into a formal investigation. The West Bengal CID is currently probing the claims of signature forgery, and several Trinamool leaders have reportedly been served notices in connection with the case. In a development that underscored the seriousness of the allegations, the CID had also summoned Abhishek Banerjee for questioning.
Sensing an opportunity, the BJP has wasted little time in sharpening its attacks. Taking a swipe at the growing turmoil within the TMC, senior BJP leader and Union minister Dilip Ghosh delivered a caustic remark that quickly gained traction in political circles.
“At this rate, only the aunt and the nephew will remain at the party. Everyone else will eventually leave,” Ghosh quipped, referring to Mamata and Abhishek.
The barb may have been political theatre, but it reflected the question increasingly being asked across Bengal’s political landscape: Is this merely a passing rebellion, or is the TMC inching toward a Maharashtra-style moment where legislative arithmetic begins to challenge organisational authority?
For now, the answer remains uncertain. But with rebel numbers swelling, accusations flying, investigations underway and competing claims over the party’s legislative leadership, the Grassflower camp finds itself navigating perhaps its most turbulent season yet.
FROM ‘JORA GHAS PHUL’ TO POLITICAL FAULT LINE
Political parties rarely split overnight but fracture gradually. The warning signs often emerge long before the formal rupture, discontent grows, factional camps consolidate, alternative power centres emerge and then comes the moment when whispers become signatures.
Wednesday may prove to be that moment for the TMC. The symbolism is striking. The party whose electoral emblem celebrates twin flowers growing together now finds itself confronting accusations of growing apart.
What was once presented as a united opposition force is increasingly appearing as a house divided. Whether these divisions are temporary or permanent remains uncertain. But few can deny that the cracks are now visible.
FISSIONABLE OPTION: DISSOLVING THE PARTY STRUCTURE
Perhaps the clearest indication of the seriousness with which the leadership views the crisis came through an extraordinary organisational decision. In a dramatic move, the TMC announced the dissolution of all organisational committees across West Bengal.
The decision extended not only to district and state committees but also to all frontal organisations. The announcement, posted on X, declared that every organisational committee stood dissolved with immediate effect. Political observers interpreted the move as an emergency reset.
A PARTY-WIDE AUDIT
A signal that the TMC leadership recognises the scale of internal unrest and intends to reassert control before matters spiral further. Supporters describe it as bold restructuring. However, Critics view it as damage control.
Either way, it underscores the gravity of the moment. Parties do not dismantle their organisational architecture unless they believe extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary responses.
THE REBEL BLUEPRINT
The dissident camp is not merely challenging Sovandeb’s nomination. It has presented an entirely new leadership structure. According to sources, the rebel group has proposed Ritabrata as the leader of the legislative party. Javed Khan, Sandipan and Shiuli Saha have reportedly been proposed as deputy leaders. Raghunathganj MLA Akhruzzaman has been put forward as the chief whip.
The message is unmistakable. This is not a symbolic protest but a competing claim to institutional authority as the rebels appeared determined to demonstrate that they are not simply dissenters but a viable alternative centre of power within the opposition ranks.
A NUMBERS GAME WITH HIGH STAKES
The most significant element of the unfolding drama remains the numbers. The anti-defection law is designed to discourage political instability. However, it also contains provisions that recognise mergers or splits supported by substantial legislative majorities.
The reported support of 58 MLAs places the rebel camp above the crucial threshold often cited in discussions surrounding legislative defections. That reality dramatically raises the stakes. If the figures hold, the rebellion cannot easily be dismissed as a fringe movement. It would represent a dominant segment of the party’s legislative strength. And that changes everything.
STORM IN A TRINAMOOL TEACUP OR FULL-BLOWN MUTINY?
Political crises often appear larger in their early stages than they eventually become. History is filled with rebellions that fizzled out after dramatic beginnings. It is therefore entirely possible that the current turmoil ultimately results in reconciliation rather than rupture.
Negotiations may take place, compromises may emerge, political survival instincts could override factional ambitions, yet it is equally possible that Bengal is witnessing the opening chapter of a much larger story.
The language coming from both camps suggests neither side is preparing for a quick retreat. The rebels have demonstrated numerical strength. The official leadership has responded with organisational shock therapy. Neither move reflects confidence in an imminent settlement.
IS TMC ON THE BRINK OF A VERTICAL SPLIT?
The question dominating Bengal politics today is no longer whether there is dissent within the TMC. That question has already been answered. The real question is whether dissent evolves into division.
A vertical split occurs when the legislative wing and organisational leadership move in different directions. That possibility now looms over the TMC. Should the Speaker recognise one camp over the other, the political consequences could be profound. Such a decision would not merely determine who occupies the leadership position on the Opposition benches. It could reshape Bengal’s opposition politics for years to come.
BENGAL’S DEFINING POLITICAL MOMENT
For now, the Speaker’s office has become the focal point of a battle that could determine the future of one of India’s most influential regional parties. The outcome will influence not only the structure of the opposition but also the balance of power within Bengal’s political ecosystem.
Mamata has weathered countless political storms before, and Ritabrata has emerged as the unlikely face of a rebellion few anticipated would gather such force. Between them stands a party at a crossroads.
The grassflowers are still intact. But beneath them, the ground appears increasingly unsettled. Whether this proves to be a passing tremor or a Bengal-style Sena-NCP political earthquake will become clear in the days ahead.
For now, one thing is certain: the Trinamool Congress is facing its most consequential internal confrontation in years, and the ripples from this rebellion are already reshaping the political conversation across West Bengal.
