Calcutta High Court Refuses Interim Stay on Ritabrata Banerjee’s Recognition as TMC Leader of Opposition

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to grant an interim stay on West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathin Bose's decision to recognise rebel Trinamool Congress MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition, dealing a setback to the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC.

The court, however, agreed to hear the matter and sought responses from the concerned parties, setting the stage for a fresh legal battle over the unprecedented political development in the state.

The petition was filed after the Speaker recognised Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition instead of Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, the veteran TMC leader preferred by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

During the hearing, the court declined to interfere immediately in the Speaker's decision and refused to pass any interim order staying Banerjee's appointment.

Ritabrata Banerjee welcomed the order.

"The High Court has refused to stay the Speaker's decision. We have faith in the constitutional process and will continue to discharge our responsibilities," he said.

TMC reiterated that it would continue its legal challenge.

"This is only an interim stage. We are confident that our arguments will be heard in detail before the court," a senior TMC leader said.