TMC rebel faction secures Kolkata HQ lease, Ritabrata Banerjee takes control
Synopsis
The TMC split has moved from the assembly floor to the street — literally. Ritabrata Banerjee's rebel majority bloc has locked in a lease on the party's official Kolkata headquarters until 2027, while Mamata Banerjee's faction retreats to Kalighat. With 15 party bank accounts frozen and an ECI symbol battle underway, the Trinamool Congress is fighting for its very institutional identity.
Key Takeaways
The TMC rebel faction led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee has taken control of Metropolitan Bhavan , the party's state headquarters in Kolkata .
The rebel bloc has signed a fresh lease with the building owner valid until 2027 , after the Mamata Banerjee -led faction ended its own agreement.
Ritabrata Banerjee currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly .
Both factions have submitted rival claims to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the party name, electoral symbol, and funds.
Debit restrictions have been imposed on 15 TMC bank accounts , including 3 frozen on Enforcement Directorate (ED) instructions.
The date of the rebel bloc's National Working Committee meeting is to be announced within two days.
The rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Legislative Party in the West Bengal Assembly, led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, has officially taken control of the party's state headquarters at Metropolitan Bhavan in Kolkata after the rival faction led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vacated its lease agreement with the building owner. The rebel bloc has since entered into a fresh lease with the building owner valid until 2027, clearing the path for it to operate from the office without interruption.
How the Takeover Unfolded
The contest for Metropolitan Bhavan began last month, shortly after the TMC's landslide defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections. The defeat effectively split the party into two camps: the faction loyal to Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee — described as the 'original but minority' faction — and the bloc led by Ritabrata Banerjee, characterised as the 'rebel but majority' faction.
The Mamata-led group, which has been operating from her residence at Kalighat in South Kolkata, ultimately chose to relinquish the building lease rather than contest it. The Ritabrata camp moved swiftly to fill the vacuum, signing a fresh agreement with the building's owner.
How the Rebel Bloc Plans to Operate
According to reports, legislators from the rebel bloc will visit the office on a rotational basis, with a roster to be prepared so that leaders hold office at Metropolitan Bhavan every day. Organisational activities will be conducted from the premises going forward.
The date for the first meeting of the National Working Committee of the rebel bloc is expected to be announced within the next two days, signalling the group's intent to formalise its institutional structure.
Battle for Party Name, Symbol, and Funds
Both factions have submitted their respective claims to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for control over the TMC's party name, electoral symbol, and party funds — a process that will determine which group holds legal recognition as the 'real' Trinamool Congress.
The party's financial position adds another layer of crisis. Debit restrictions have been imposed on as many as 15 bank accounts of the TMC. Of these, three accounts are under debit freeze following instructions from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), further complicating the organisational functioning of both factions.
What Comes Next
With the rebel faction now physically entrenched at the party's official headquarters and the ECI adjudication pending, the TMC split is fast moving from a political dispute to a legal and institutional battle. The ECI's eventual ruling on the name and symbol will be decisive — as past precedents in Indian politics have shown, the faction that retains the original symbol typically consolidates the voter base. All eyes are now on the National Working Committee meeting and the ECI's timeline for a verdict.
Point of View
The faction that holds the original office, name, and symbol almost always consolidates the cadre; the Mamata camp's retreat to Kalighat signals it is fighting a rearguard action. The ECI adjudication is the real battleground, but with 15 bank accounts frozen and the ED in the picture, the TMC's organisational capacity is under simultaneous legal and financial siege — a combination that has historically accelerated the collapse of regional parties caught mid-split.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which TMC faction has taken control of Metropolitan Bhavan in Kolkata?
The rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Legislative Party, led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, has taken control of Metropolitan Bhavan, the party's state headquarters in Kolkata. The faction secured a fresh lease with the building owner valid until 2027 after the Mamata Banerjee-led faction ended its own agreement with the owner.
Why did the TMC split into two factions?
The split followed the TMC's landslide defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The party divided into a faction loyal to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee — described as the 'original but minority' group — and a rival bloc led by Ritabrata Banerjee, characterised as the 'rebel but majority' faction.
What is the status of the TMC's claim before the Election Commission of India?
Both factions have submitted separate claims to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking control over the TMC's party name, electoral symbol, and party funds. The ECI has not yet issued a ruling, and its decision will determine which faction holds official legal recognition as the Trinamool Congress.
Why are TMC bank accounts frozen?
Debit restrictions have been imposed on 15 TMC bank accounts in total. Of these, three accounts are under freeze following instructions from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The restrictions are adding financial strain to both factions as they compete for organisational control.
Who is Ritabrata Banerjee and what is his current role?
Ritabrata Banerjee is an expelled TMC legislator who now leads the rebel majority faction of the party's West Bengal Legislative unit. He currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
