Rebel TMC faction removes Mamata, appoints Aroop Roy as chair amid deepening party split
West Bengal’s political turmoil deepened on Monday as the rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee, announced a sweeping organizational overhaul.
The dissidents declared senior legislator Aroop Roy as chairman of what they described as the “real” TMC and removed party chief Mamata Banerjee from their organizational structure.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of dissident lawmakers and former local representatives at a hotel in New Town, Kolkata.
The rebels claimed around 60 legislators and dozens of former municipal councilors participated in the gathering.
The faction also suspended Abhishek Banerjee from the post of national general secretary and unveiled a new leadership team.
According to the rebel camp, the previous national working committee was dissolved and replaced with a new 30-member committee.
The dissidents argued that the party constitution requires a national executive meeting every three years and alleged that no such meeting had been held since 2022.
On that basis, they claimed authority to restructure the organization and appoint a new leadership.
Under the new arrangement, Roy was named chairman.
Former minister Aroop Biswas, Kolkata legislator Firhad Hakim and legislator Rathin Ghosh were appointed vice chairpersons.
Ritabrata Banerjee, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha and Sabina Yasmin were named general secretaries, while Akhruzzaman was designated treasurer.
The move marks the latest escalation in a rebellion that has shaken the ruling party in recent weeks.
The crisis began over allegations that signatures of some legislators were forged on documents related to the appointment of legislative leaders.
The dispute triggered a revolt that eventually saw dozens of lawmakers rally behind Ritabrata Banerjee.
He was later recognized as leader of the opposition in the state assembly despite being expelled from the party.
Soon after Monday’s meeting, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC leadership issued show-cause notices to several leaders who attended the gathering.
Those receiving notices included Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, Aroop Biswas and other senior figures accused of anti-party activities.
The rebellion has already led to resignations, rival organizational reshuffles and competing claims over the party’s identity.
The escalating power struggle has raised fresh questions about the future of one of India’s most influential regional political forces ahead of upcoming electoral contests.