New Delhi: The internal crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to reach a crucial stage on Thursday, with a 10-member delegation led by West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee scheduled to meet the Election Commission (EC) in New Delhi. The meeting comes amid an intensifying dispute between rival factions over the party’s organisational control and political identity.
interacting with media on Wednesday, Banerjee said the Election Commission had granted his faction an appointment after it submitted documents outlining its position following a special session held on June 22.
“After the special session on the 22nd, we apprised the Election Commission of the situation, sent all the relevant documents, and also sought an appointment. We are grateful to the Election Commission. I would like to express our thanks that the full bench of the EC has granted an appointment to our 10-member delegation for tomorrow. That is why we are going to Delhi,” Banerjee said.
He added that the delegation would present its case before the poll panel and discuss issues concerning the party’s organisational structure.
“We are going there to hold discussions, and only after those talks take place will we be able to say what transpired,” Banerjee said.
The meeting is significant as the rift within the TMC has widened following the party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. According to the rebel camp, 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs broke away from the leadership led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, backed Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and subsequently announced a new 30-member National Working Committee (NWC).
Since then, both factions have been engaged in a battle over control of the party organisation, legislative wing and political identity, with each claiming to represent the authentic Trinamool Congress.
The dispute has also sparked speculation over the party’s election symbol. However, Banerjee has dismissed suggestions that his faction is seeking recognition of the symbol, maintaining that it is the legitimate Trinamool Congress.
“We are the Trinamool Congress. So, no question of claiming the party symbol arises,” Banerjee had said earlier this week, while asserting that the majority of the party’s elected representatives in West Bengal are aligned with his faction.
The Election Commission is expected to hear the submissions of the rebel faction during Thursday’s meeting. Any decision by the poll panel could have significant implications for the ongoing battle over the party’s organisational legitimacy and electoral identity ahead of future elections in the state.
