Rebel TMC Faction Seizes Kolkata Party Headquarters

Trinamool Congress' internal power struggle escalated on Friday after the rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee took control of the party's organisational headquarters in Kolkata, asserting that it represented the "real" TMC.

The dissident camp presented its claim over the party's name, symbol and leadership before the Election Commission a day earlier.

The rebel leaders entered the Metropolitan office, which has functioned as the party's operational headquarters since 2022, changed the locks on the premises, put up new banners and held a meeting inside.

They also installed a sign identifying senior MLA Arup Roy as the chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress, while leaving photographs and cut-outs of Mamata Banerjee inside the building untouched.

"We are the Trinamool Congress. This is our headquarters," Ritabrata Banerjee said, adding that his faction would begin operating from the office from Saturday.

Senior rebel leader Akhruzzaman said the group had completed the necessary agreement with the owners of the premises and would conduct all organisational work from the office.

"This office belongs to the Trinamool Congress, and there is an emotional connection between the party and this office," he said.

Leaders loyal to Mamata Banerjee arrived at the headquarters after news of the takeover spread but found the gates locked and were unable to enter.

Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh criticised the move, saying, "Any MLA of the party has the right to come to the party office. Why should the gates be locked?"