Kolkata: The conflict has intensified in Trinamool Congress. Rebel MLAs led by Ritabrata Banerjee and Firhad Hakim occupied the Trinamool building in Kolkata on Friday. A day earlier, this group had staked claim on the party’s name and election symbol before the Election Commission.
The building was captured as soon as they returned from Delhi.
After returning from New Delhi, the rebel group directly reached Trinamool Bhawan located at EM Bypass. After holding the meeting there, the group members locked the gate of the party office. The rebels told the media that they have completed all the formalities with the building owners. Now he will work from Trinamool Bhawan only.
On Thursday, this group appeared before the full bench of the Election Commission. The rebel leaders claimed that they are the real Trinamool Congress, hence they have the right over the name and election symbol of the party. After this the group outside the building "All India Trinamool Congress" Put up the banner of and declared senior MLA Arup Roy as the chairman of the party.
Mamata group counterattacks, police deployed
Mamata Banerjee faction leaders Madan Mitra and Kunal Ghosh expressed strong objection to this occupation. As tension increased, police and central forces were deployed outside Trinamool Bhawan.
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh said, "We have filed a police complaint against those who intruded and locked the Trinamool building. There was no need to lock the building. Members expelled from the party do not have the right to enter the office."
Mamata loyalist Kalyan Banerjee, referring to the office of the rebel group in Rajdanga, said that merely opening a separate office does not make the claim on TMC valid. Taking aim at Ritabrata, the MP from Shrirampur said, "He is a criminal. Criminal cases are registered against him. Those people have nothing to do with our party office." He said that the Mamata faction will challenge the rebels legally and politically.
Questions raised on EC hearing
Mamta faction also raised questions on the meeting held with the EC on Thursday. Senior leader Saugata Roy said, "The Election Commission had said that only authorized signatories can demand a meeting. AITC had not made any request. Then why was the person expelled from TMC given time?"
The Election Commission has asked both the factions to submit their claims and counter-claims regarding the party’s organizational elections, authorized signatories and control by 5.30 pm on July 6. Kalyan Banerjee said that the party will respond in time and bring the criminal cases against the rebels before the public.
Root of rebellion in TMC
The crisis in the 28-year-old TMC deepened when most of the MLAs supported Ritabrata. Arup Roy was elected president in the special session of the rebel group last month. It is said that 58 MLAs had revolted due to the increasing influence of Abhishek Banerjee.
The Assembly Speaker also recognized the rebels as a legislative party. Mamta faction is calling it a conspiracy by BJP. The rebel group wants to strengthen its claim on TMC by taking control of the organizational headquarters.
Comments are closed.