TMC Rebel Faction Holds Special Session, Names Arup Roy as Chairperson

PTI, June 22, 2026, Kolkata: In a dramatic escalation of the battle for control of the TMC, the party's rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee on Monday convened a special session in Kolkata, and named senior MLA Arup Roy as the chairperson of what it described as the "real" Trinamool Congress.

The move marked the most direct organisational challenge yet to party supremo and founder chairperson Mamata Banerjee, whose authority over the organisation has come under increasing strain, following successive rebellions within the party's legislative and Parliamentary wings after the TMC's defeat in the Assembly elections.

Held at a five-star hotel in New Town, the special session brought together rebel MLAs, councillors and former elected representatives from several districts.

The backdrop itself underscored the political messaging of the gathering.

While the TMC party symbol remained prominently displayed, portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and B. R. Ambedkar adorned the stage.

Notably absent were photographs of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who have long been central faces of the party.

The rebel camp claimed the meeting was convened to address what it termed a "constitutional crisis" within the organisation.

Addressing the session, Banerjee argued that the party's constitution mandated the formation of a national working committee every three years and that the last such panel had been constituted in February 202...