Bengal Speaker to rule on disqualification of 10 rebel TMC MLAs today
Synopsis
West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose is set to rule on whether 10 rebel TMC MLAs — including the sitting Leader of Opposition — are disqualified, just days after resuming duties from hospitalisation. With the Election Commission having already frozen the original TMC name and symbol and allotted new identities to both factions, the Speaker's verdict could redraw the opposition in the Bengal Assembly.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose has convened a disqualification hearing on 8 October 2026 at 3 pm for 10 rebel TMC MLAs .
Rebel faction leader and expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee is the current official Leader of Opposition and among those facing disqualification.
The Supreme Court last month ruled that the Speaker holds final authority on disqualification and urged an early decision.
Speaker Bose was hospitalised earlier this month; convening this hearing is his first official act after resuming duties.
The Election Commission of India has frozen the original TMC name and symbol, renaming the Mamata faction 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the rebel faction 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' .
West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose has convened a high-stakes hearing on Thursday, 8 October 2026, to adjudicate the disqualification of ten rebel All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators, including expelled party MLA and current official Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee. The hearing, scheduled at 3 pm inside the Speaker's chamber at the Assembly premises in Kolkata, follows a Supreme Court ruling that placed the disqualification decision squarely in the Speaker's hands.
Background: The TMC Split and Supreme Court's Direction
The crisis traces back to a formal split within the Trinamool Congress, which saw Ritabrata Banerjee emerge as the leader of a rebel faction that broke away from the party led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Veteran party legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, representing the Mamata Banerjee-led faction — described as the 'original but minority' grouping — had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking the disqualification of the 10 rebel MLAs.
Last month, the apex court disposed of the petition, ruling that the authority to decide on disqualification rested exclusively with Speaker Bose. The court also observed that it was 'desirable' that the Speaker arrive at a final decision at the earliest, effectively nudging the Assembly's presiding officer into action.
What Happened Before Today's Hearing
Speaker Bose had been travelling abroad on an official tour when the Supreme Court delivered its ruling. On returning to Kolkata, he was hospitalised earlier this month following a deterioration in his medical condition. Convening today's disqualification hearing is reportedly the first official act he has undertaken after resuming duties — an indication of how politically consequential the matter is considered to be.
Both sides are expected to be represented. The 10 rebel legislators, including Ritabrata Banerjee, along with their counsel, are likely to appear before the Speaker. Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, representing the Mamata Banerjee faction, and their legal team are also expected to be present.
Election Commission's Role: New Names and Symbols
The disqualification proceedings unfold against the backdrop of significant action by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI has placed a freeze on both the original party name, 'All India Trinamool Congress', and the electoral symbol, 'Grassroots and Flower'.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has been allotted the new name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the new electoral symbol of 'Football Player'. The Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction, in turn, has been assigned the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and the symbol of 'Envelope'. The ECI's intervention has formalized the split on the electoral register, making the Speaker's disqualification ruling all the more critical to the balance of power within the West Bengal Assembly.
What the Ruling Could Mean
Notably, Ritabrata Banerjee holds the position of official Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. A disqualification ruling against him would strip that status and could reshape the composition and dynamics of the opposition benches. The outcome will also set a precedent for how anti-defection provisions are applied in a situation where a party has effectively been cleaved in two, with both factions holding official recognition — albeit under new names and symbols — from the Election Commission. All eyes are now on Speaker Bose's decision, which legal observers say could face fresh judicial scrutiny depending on the outcome.
Point of View
Meaning the ruling could simultaneously alter the Assembly's opposition structure and the legitimacy of its anti-government voice. What mainstream coverage underweights is the ECI's parallel action — by freezing the original TMC identity and issuing new names and symbols, the Commission has effectively pre-empted any 'which side is the real party' defence before the Speaker. Speaker Bose, fresh from hospitalisation, now must navigate a ruling that will almost certainly be challenged in court regardless of which way it goes.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose holding a disqualification hearing today?
Speaker Rathindra Bose convened the hearing on 8 October 2026 following a Supreme Court directive that placed the authority to decide on the disqualification of 10 rebel TMC MLAs exclusively with the Speaker. The apex court had disposed of a petition by the Mamata Banerjee faction and observed that the Speaker should reach a final decision at the earliest.
Who are the rebel TMC MLAs facing disqualification?
The 10 rebel All India Trinamool Congress legislators facing disqualification are led by expelled party MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, who currently serves as the official Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The rebel faction has since been recognised by the Election Commission as 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' with the electoral symbol of 'Envelope'.
What did the Election Commission of India do regarding the TMC split?
The Election Commission of India froze both the original party name 'All India Trinamool Congress' and its electoral symbol 'Grassroots and Flower'. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was allotted the new name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' with the symbol 'Football Player', while the rebel faction was assigned 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' with the symbol 'Envelope'.
What happens if the Speaker disqualifies the 10 rebel MLAs?
If disqualified, the 10 rebel legislators would lose their Assembly seats, and Ritabrata Banerjee would forfeit his status as official Leader of Opposition. The ruling could reshape the opposition benches in the West Bengal Assembly and is widely expected to be challenged in court.
Why was Speaker Rathindra Bose unable to act sooner on the Supreme Court's ruling?
Speaker Bose was on an official foreign tour when the Supreme Court gave its ruling last month. After returning to Kolkata, he was hospitalised due to deterioration in his medical condition. Convening Thursday's hearing is his first official act since resuming duties.
