Mamata backs Abhishek amid revolt as TMC plans to move court over LoP appointment

Kolkata,UPDATED: Jun 5, 2026 18:41 IST

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to move the Calcutta High Court against West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose's decision to recognise Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition, calling the move illegal.

The decision to challenge the Speaker's ruling was taken at a meeting chaired by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata. According to sources, the party is expected to approach the High Court on Monday.

Sources also said Banerjee has retained her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, as the party's National General Secretary, while continuing as the TMC Chairperson. Senior leaders Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen will assist the Diamond Harbour MP as joint secretaries.

The latest development comes days after 60 of the TMC's 80 MLAs elected in the recently concluded Assembly polls rebelled against the former Chief Minister's leadership.

The rebel faction subsequently backed Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition, rejecting Banerjee's choice of Sovandeb Chattopadhyay for the post. The Speaker later recognised Ritabrata Banerjee as the LoP, triggering a massive crisis within the party.

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