Calcutta HC upholds Speaker's recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee as Bengal LoP
Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court has refused to undo the West Bengal Speaker's recognition of rebel TMC legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition — a ruling that leaves 20 pro-Mamata legislators politically sidelined and keeps a CID signature-fraud probe alive. With the next hearing set for 28 July, the Trinamool split is now a judicial as much as a political battle.
Key Takeaways
Calcutta High Court on 18 June upheld Speaker Rathindra Bose's decision recognising Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
Justice Krishna Rao declined to issue any interim direction against the Speaker's order; the next hearing is on 28 July .
The rebel bloc led by Banerjee claims the support of 60 out of 80 TMC legislators in the 294-seat assembly.
The rival minority bloc of 20 legislators , loyal to Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee , had proposed Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as LoP — that claim is now nullified.
A CID probe into alleged signature mismatches in the original resolution submitted to the Speaker is ongoing.
A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, 18 June upheld the decision of West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose to recognise expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly. Justice Krishna Rao declined to issue any interim direction against the Speaker's order, effectively allowing Banerjee to continue in the role.
What the Court Decided
The petition challenging the Speaker's decision had been filed earlier this month and concluded hearing on Wednesday, with Justice Rao reserving the verdict. On Thursday morning, the judgment was pronounced — the court refused to interfere with the Speaker's acceptance of Ritabrata Banerjee as head of the majority rebel bloc within the Trinamool legislative party.
The ruling nullifies the claim of the minority bloc, which had proposed veteran legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the LoP. The matter will, however, be heard again on 28 July, with both parties directed to file affidavits before that date.
The Split Inside Trinamool's Legislative Party
Of the 80 TMC legislators in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly, a total of 60 are part of the rebel majority bloc led by Banerjee — though Banerjee had earlier claimed the number to be 64. The remaining 20 legislators continue their allegiance to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.
The fracture deepened after Ritabrata Banerjee and legislator Sandipan Saha flagged alleged signature mismatches in a resolution submitted to the Speaker's office — a resolution that named Chattopadhyay as LoP, Asima Patra and Nayna Bandopadhyay as deputy leaders, and Firhad Hakim as Chief Whip of the Trinamool legislative party.
CID Probe and the Chain of Events
The alleged signature irregularities prompted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to initiate a probe, which is currently underway. Trinamool swiftly suspended both Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha following the allegations.
Shortly after the suspensions, 60 legislators led by Banerjee revolted and submitted a fresh resolution to the Speaker, claiming majority status within the Trinamool legislative party. Speaker Bose accepted the fresh resolution and officially recognised Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition — a decision that was then challenged in court.
What Happens Next
With the court declining to stay the Speaker's order, Banerjee's position as LoP remains intact for now. The next hearing on 28 July will be critical, as both sides are required to submit affidavits. The parallel CID investigation into the signature controversy adds another layer of legal complexity to what is shaping up as one of the most consequential internal crises in Trinamool's history.
Point of View
If interim, blow to the Mamata camp — it lends institutional legitimacy to a rebel bloc that was expelled and then quickly recognised. The real question is whether the Speaker acted within constitutional bounds by accepting a fresh resolution from legislators who had already been suspended by their parent party; that is precisely what the 28 July hearing must settle. The parallel CID probe into signature fraud, initiated under a state government that answers to Mamata Banerjee, adds a layer of conflict of interest that the court would do well to examine. If the rebel majority holds through July, Trinamool faces a structural crisis that no amount of party discipline can paper over.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Calcutta High Court rule on 18 June regarding Ritabrata Banerjee?
The Calcutta High Court upheld West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose's decision to recognise Ritabrata Banerjee as the official Leader of Opposition. Justice Krishna Rao declined to issue any interim order against the Speaker's ruling, allowing Banerjee to continue in the role.
Why was Ritabrata Banerjee recognised as Leader of Opposition?
Banerjee, along with legislator Sandipan Saha, alleged signature mismatches in a resolution submitted by the pro-Mamata bloc nominating Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as LoP. After both were suspended by Trinamool, 60 legislators rallied behind Banerjee and submitted a fresh resolution claiming majority status, which the Speaker accepted.
What is the CID probe about in the Trinamool Congress split?
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is probing alleged mismatches in the signatures of certain TMC legislators on the resolution submitted to the Speaker's office nominating Chattopadhyay as LoP. The probe was triggered by allegations raised by Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha.
What is the current split in TMC's legislative party in West Bengal?
Of the 80 TMC legislators in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly, 60 are in the rebel majority bloc led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The remaining 20 continue their allegiance to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.
What happens next in the Calcutta High Court case?
The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on 28 July. Justice Rao has directed both the petitioner and the defendant to file affidavits before that date. The court's final ruling on the Speaker's decision is still pending.
