Bengal Speaker recognises Ritabrata-led TMC bloc of 58 MLAs as Opposition
Synopsis
The Trinamool Congress has effectively split on the floor of the West Bengal Assembly. With 58 of 80 MLAs backing expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, the Speaker has handed the new bloc both party recognition and the LoP post — while the resolution still calls Mamata Banerjee the 'supreme leader' and shuts the door on Abhishek Banerjee.
Key Takeaways
Speaker Rathindra Bose recognised the new TMC bloc as the official party and principal Opposition on 3 June .
58 of 80 TMC MLAs signed the resolution, crossing the two-thirds threshold.
Ritabrata Banerjee is the new Leader of the Opposition ; Akhruzzaman is Chief Whip.
The resolution names Mamata Banerjee as 'supreme leader' but excludes Abhishek Banerjee .
The CID has reportedly summoned Abhishek Banerjee twice over alleged signature mismatches in an earlier resolution.
In a dramatic realignment inside the West Bengal Assembly, Speaker Rathindra Bose on Wednesday, 3 June, recognised the breakaway Trinamool Congress legislative bloc led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as both the official TMC group in the House and the principal Opposition party. The decision came after 58 of the party's 80 MLAs endorsed a resolution backing the new bloc, crossing the two-thirds threshold.
How the Speaker's order unfolded
Earlier in the day, the 58 legislators, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, submitted a signed resolution seeking recognition as the official Trinamool block and the principal Opposition party in the state. By Wednesday afternoon, Speaker Bose accepted the resolution, citing that more than two-thirds of TMC's strength had endorsed it.
Who gets which post
The Speaker also cleared the bloc's nominations for key Assembly posts. Ritabrata Banerjee has been named Leader of the Opposition, with Siuli Saha, Javed Ahmed Khan and Sandipan Saha as Deputy Leaders. Akhruzzaman will serve as Chief Whip. The rooms allotted for Opposition MLAs and the LoP inside the Assembly premises were unlocked and the keys handed over to the new office-bearers.
Mamata in, Abhishek out
Speaking to reporters after the Speaker's nod, Ritabrata Banerjee said two more party MLAs currently outside the state had confirmed support, taking the bloc's effective strength towards 60. “We are 58 in total now. Soon our number will increase to 60,” he said.
In a striking signal, the new bloc's resolution acknowledged former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the “supreme leader” of the party, and Ritabrata publicly appealed to her to serve as adviser to the bloc. At the same time, he ruled out any association with TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata's nephew.
The signature row that triggered the split
Last month, Abhishek Banerjee had written to the Speaker proposing Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as LoP, with Nayna Bandopadhyay and Asima Patra as Deputy Leaders and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip. The Speaker insisted that a resolution signed by TMC MLAs accompany the letter. After that resolution was submitted, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha — both expelled from the party earlier this week — flagged mismatches in the signatures of some legislators.
The Assembly secretariat subsequently handed the matter to the CID, which has reportedly summoned Abhishek Banerjee for questioning twice. Rebellion within the party deepened in parallel, culminating in Wednesday's formal split.
What happens next
With the official Opposition slot now held by an internal TMC faction rather than a rival party, the Assembly's floor dynamics are set for a significant reset. Attention now turns to whether Mamata Banerjee responds to Ritabrata's public appeal, and how the remaining 22 MLAs of the original TMC strength position themselves in the coming sessions.
Point of View
Meanwhile, raises uncomfortable questions about whether Assembly process disputes should be policed by a state investigative agency at all.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly?
Ritabrata Banerjee, an expelled Trinamool Congress legislator, has been recognised as the Leader of the Opposition by Speaker Rathindra Bose on 3 June. He leads a new TMC bloc backed by 58 of the party's 80 MLAs.
Why did the Speaker accept the new Trinamool bloc?
The Speaker accepted the resolution because more than two-thirds of TMC's 80 elected MLAs — 58 in all — endorsed the new bloc as the official legislative party. This crossed the threshold required for recognition under Assembly norms.
What role does Mamata Banerjee play in the new bloc?
The bloc's resolution acknowledges former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the 'supreme leader' of the party, and Ritabrata Banerjee has publicly appealed to her to serve as adviser. Her formal response is awaited.
Why is Abhishek Banerjee being questioned by the CID?
The CID is reportedly investigating alleged signature mismatches in an earlier resolution submitted to the Speaker's office in support of Abhishek Banerjee's nominees for Assembly posts. He has been summoned twice for questioning.
Who were Abhishek Banerjee's original nominees for the Opposition posts?
Abhishek Banerjee had proposed Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition, with Nayna Bandopadhyay and Asima Patra as Deputy Leaders and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip. The Speaker has not accepted this slate.
