Ritabrata Denies Meeting Speaker With 50 MLAs Amid TMC Split Speculation

MP, June 3, 2026, Kolkata : Fresh speculation over a possible split within the Trinamool Congress intensified on Tuesday after BJP leader Tapas Roy claimed in a social media post that nearly 50 party MLAs were backing expelled TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee in his standoff with the party leadership over the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition.

The claim, which quickly triggered political chatter and comparisons with factional splits witnessed in Maharashtra politics in recent years, was firmly rejected by Ritabrata Banerjee himself.

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Banerjee clarified that he had not met the Speaker with any group of MLAs or submitted any list, effectively dismissing the speculation surrounding Roy’s post.

He, however, admitted that he did meet several TMC MLAs at the MLA Hostel at Kyd Street on Monday evening.

Roy had written on Facebook that TMC was “breaking apart” and that Banerjee had reached the Speaker with around 50 legislators. Later, however, the BJP leader said he does not personally handle his social media accounts and that a team manages the posts on his behalf.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of an escalating internal crisis within the opposition party.

Uluberia Purba MLA Ritabrata Banerjee and Entally MLA Sandipan Saha were recently expelled by the TMC over alleged anti-party activities after they raised objections to the process through which the party nominated veteran leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly.

The two legislators alleged that signatures of several MLAs had been forged on a resolution endorsing Chattopadhyay’s candidature. They subsequently approached the Speaker seeking an inquiry, prompting a CID investigation.

Several TMC legislators have since been questioned, with some reportedly stating that signatures appearing against their names were not genuine.

Amid reports that more than 50 of the party’s 80 MLAs may back Ritabrata’s camp, the episode has sharpened questions about unity within the TMC, even as the party leadership continues to reject suggestions of any organisational split.

Meanwhile, TMC MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay insisted the party remained largely united behind Mamata Banerjee.

He claimed some of his party MLAs are being pressured into making anti-party statements but that the majority would remain with Mamata Banerjee and the party’s twin-flower symbol.

He also alleged that money and inducements were being used to encourage defections from the party.