The Trinamool Congress (TMC) plans to move the Calcutta High Court to challenge the appointment of Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition [1].
The legal move comes as the party grapples with internal instability and electoral losses that have shifted the political landscape of West Bengal. The TMC said that the decision by Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose was illegal [1].
Speaker Bose took the decision to recognize Ritabrata Banerjee on May 8, 2024 [2]. This preceded the first-ever Bengal government oath for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 9, 2024 [2]. The TMC expected to file its High Court challenge on Monday, May 13, 2024 [1].
While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC) has led protests in Kolkata and at her Kalighat residence, reports suggest a divide within the party ranks. Nearly 50 percent of MLAs skipped the party's first post-poll protest [3]. This absence indicates significant internal strain following the disappointing assembly results.
Opposition leaders have seized on this perceived instability. Suvendu Adhikari said, "TMC's condition now pathetic" [4]. Despite the pressure, Mamata Banerjee said the BJP will be removed from the Centre [4].
The party's struggle for unity is evident in the contradiction between public demonstrations and legislator attendance. While the leadership continues to mobilize on Rani Rashmoni Avenue, the high rate of absenteeism among lawmakers suggests a widening crack in the party's foundation [3].
“TMC's condition now pathetic.”
The combination of a legal battle over the Leader of the Opposition role and high MLA absenteeism suggests the TMC is facing a dual crisis of legitimacy and loyalty. By challenging the Speaker's decision in court, the party is attempting to regain a formal institutional foothold while simultaneously fighting to prevent internal fragmentation after a major electoral loss.
