The Election Commission on Thursday issued a notice to the Trinamool Congress factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee. These notices are in relation to the conflicting claims of their respective factions regarding the organizational elections of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and authorized signatories. According to the Commission’s letter, notices have been sent to leaders of both factions as their respective factions are making competing claims over which faction is the real Trinamool Congress and is entitled to control the party’s symbol, bank accounts, authorized signatories and other organizational matters.
The Commission has sought detailed replies from both the parties and directed them to submit their replies by 5.30 pm on July 6. In fact, after the defeat of TMC in the recently held assembly elections, the power struggle started, in which BJP snatched power from Trinamool Congress. After this, a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee separated and challenged the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. The rebel group claims that they have the support of more than 65 out of 80 party MLAs and Ritabrata has been elected the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
Rebel group claims to be ‘real Trinamool Congress’
While the rebel group claims to be the ‘real Trinamool Congress’ citing its majority, Mamata Banerjee’s loyalists argue that the party’s authority is determined by organizational strength rather than the number of MLAs and control over the organization remains firmly with the former Chief Minister.
Now escalating this controversy further, a delegation led by Ritabrata Banerjee on Thursday met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and two other election commissioners and demanded recognition as a valid faction of Trinamool Congress. After the meeting, Ritabrata said that the Election Commission listened carefully to the delegation and presented all the relevant arguments.
Mamta Banerjee was removed from the post
In fact, a few weeks ago the rebel group had called a special organizational meeting and nominated senior party leader and MLA Arup Roy as the party president and removed founder Mamata Banerjee from the post. This group also claimed to suspend Abhishek Banerjee from the party.
Ritabrata’s All India Trinamool Congress
Ritabrata said that his group had informed the Election Commission in writing after holding a special organizational session in Kolkata. Without disclosing the documents submitted to the commission, he said the June 22 meeting was held following party rules. Reiterating his faction’s claim on the party, he said, ‘We are All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and more than two-thirds of the MLAs are with us. Councilors, city councilors and Zilla Parishad members are with us.
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