The Election Commission on Thursday issued notices to rival Trinamool Congress factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee after the latter approached the poll body seeking recognition as the official Trinamool Congress and claiming control over the party's organisational structure, authorised signatories, and other key administrative matters in West Bengal.
According to the Commission's communication, notices have been sent to both leaders over competing claims by their respective factions regarding which group constitutes the "real" Trinamool Congress and is entitled to control the party symbol, bank accounts, authorised signatories and other organisational matters.
The Commission has sought detailed responses from both sides and directed them to submit their replies by 5.30 pm on July 6.
The power struggle erupted after Trinamool's defeat in the recently held Assembly elections, in which the BJP wrested power from the party. In the aftermath, a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee broke away, challenging the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. The rebel camp claims the support of more than 65 of the party's 80 MLAs, and Ritabrata has since been elected Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
While the rebels cite their majority within the legislative party to bolster their claim as the "real Trinamool Congress", Mamata Banerjee's loyalists argue that organisational strength, rather than legislative numbers, determines the party's authority and that control of the organisation remains firmly with the former chief minister.
Escalating the battle, a delegation led by Ritabrata Banerjee met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners earlier on Thursday to present its case for recognition as the legitimate Trinamool Congress faction. Following the meeting, Ritabrata said the full bench of the Election Commission had given the delegation a "patient hearing" and that it had presented all relevant arguments.
Weeks earlier, the rebel faction convened a special organisational meeting and named senior MLA Arup Roy as party chairperson, removing founder Mamata Banerjee from the post. The group also claimed to have suspended Abhishek Banerjee from the party.
The rebel camp subsequently announced a parallel organisational structure and reiterated the suspension of Abhishek Banerjee, signalling that its challenge had expanded beyond the legislature into the party's organisational hierarchy.
Ritabrata said his faction had informed the Election Commission in writing after holding the special organisational session in Kolkata. Without disclosing the documents submitted to the Commission, he maintained that the June 22 meeting was conducted in full compliance with party rules.
Reasserting the faction's claim over the party, Ritabrata said, "We are the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). More than two-thirds of the MLAs are with us. Corporators, municipal councillors and Zila Parishad members are with us."
Leaders loyal to Mamata Banerjee, however, dismissed the meeting with the Election Commission as inconsistent with the poll body's own procedures.
Senior party leaders Saugata Roy and Sagarika Ghose said the party had not sought any meeting with the Commission and questioned the basis on which the rebel leaders were granted an audience.
"The Election Commission had informed all political parties that only authorised signatories can seek a meeting. The AITC did not ask for a meeting. On what basis did the Election Commission grant an appointment to a person expelled by the TMC?" Roy asked.
The Trinamool leader alleged that the meeting was being held "at the behest of (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah," claiming that the BJP was influencing the Election Commission.
Drawing a distinction between a political party and its legislature party, Ghose cited the Supreme Court's Shiv Sena judgment to argue that the legislative wing could neither merge nor split.
Both factions have been asked to respond by July 6 to the Election Commission's notice after Ritabrata staked a claim to the party's name, twin-flower election symbol and organisational control, arguing that his faction enjoys the backing of a majority of the party's legislators and office-bearers.
