The Trinamool Congress (TMC) expelled two MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, following allegations of signature forgery in a party document [3].
This internal purge signals a deepening crisis within the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, as a criminal investigation now targets the legitimacy of leadership endorsements and party discipline.
The controversy centers on a resolution dated May 6, 2024 [2]. The document reportedly endorsed the appointment of an opposition leader, but several lawmakers questioned the authenticity of the signatures attached to the letter [3]. The party took disciplinary action by removing two members from the fold [1].
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a formal probe into the matter. As part of the inquiry, the CID recorded statements from 13 TMC MLAs [1]. During these proceedings, three MLAs said their signatures did not appear on the May 6 resolution [1].
The investigation has expanded beyond the expelled lawmakers. Authorities summoned Abhishek Banerjee for questioning regarding the forgery row [3]. The probe aims to determine how the signatures were obtained and who was responsible for the document's creation, a process that has triggered a political storm in the state [3].
The expulsions occurred in early May 2024 [2], shortly after the forged resolution surfaced. The party leadership has sought to distance itself from the incident while the CID continues to examine the evidence provided by the legislative members [1].
“The Trinamool Congress (TMC) expelled two MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha”
The expulsion of sitting legislators over a forged document suggests a breakdown in internal party communication and a vulnerability to administrative fraud. By involving the CID and summoning a high-profile figure like Abhishek Banerjee, the case transcends a simple disciplinary matter and becomes a test of the party's internal transparency and legal accountability in West Bengal.
