Kolkata, Several senior leaders of the Trinamool Congress, considered close to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, were present at the administrative review meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday.

STORY | TMC loyalists attend Bengal CM Suvendu’s administrative meet as rebellion deepens in party

The presence of several TMC leaders considered close to Mamata Banerjee at Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s administrative review meeting on Wednesday added a fresh political…

This development is seen as a new political turn within the main opposition party, Trinamool Congress, which is facing its biggest internal rebellion since a crushing defeat in the assembly elections. Amid signs of a potential split in the Trinamool legislative party, legislators considered old loyalists of Mamata Banerjee, including Naya Bandyopadhyay, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, Ashok Dev, and Kunal Ghosh, attended this administrative meeting held at the state secretariat ‘Nabanna’.

This development comes just hours after 58 dissident Trinamool legislators elected expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as the new leader of the legislative party and formally informed Assembly Speaker Ratindra Bose of the decision. In a move that completely shifts the power balance of the opposition camp in the house, Ritabrata Banerjee, along with rebel legislator Sandeepan Saha and other dissident legislators, met the Assembly Speaker and submitted a support letter signed by 58 legislators. The rebel faction has also proposed a new leadership structure, with Ritabrata Banerjee as leader of the opposition legislative party, Javed Khan, Sandeepan Saha, and Shiuli Saha as deputy leaders, and Raghunathganj legislator Akhruzzaman as chief whip.

Discussions intensify over changing equations in opposition camp

Notably, Ritabrata Banerjee, Javed Khan, and Saha were also seen participating in the Chief Minister’s administrative meeting. The entire episode began after a meeting of dissident legislators at the assembly complex during the day. Significantly, none of the legislators who attended this rebel meeting were seen at Mamata Banerjee’s protest in central Kolkata on Tuesday, clearly indicating the growing rift between the party’s traditional leadership and the dissident faction.

Interestingly, several leaders associated with the Kalighat (Mamata Banerjee’s residence) camp, including Hakim, Bandyopadhyay, Dev, and Ghosh, kept their distance from the rebel meeting held in the assembly but did attend the Chief Minister’s administrative meeting. Just a few days earlier, senior Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and six party legislators participated in an administrative review meeting called by Suvendu Adhikari in Kalyani, sparking speculation about changing equations within the opposition camp after the crushing defeat in the assembly elections.

Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is a major cultural and commercial hub in eastern India, founded in 1690 by the British East India Company. It served as the capital of British India until 1911 and was a center of the Indian independence movement, as well as the Bengal Renaissance. Today, it is renowned for its colonial architecture, vibrant arts scene, and iconic landmarks like the Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge.

Nabanna

Nabanna is the name of the state secretariat building of the Government of West Bengal, located in Howrah, India, serving as the administrative headquarters since 2013. The name “Nabanna” means “new harvest” in Bengali, symbolizing prosperity and a fresh start. Historically, the site gained prominence during the 2014 political protests known as the “Nabanna Abhijan,” when opposition groups marched to the building demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister.

Kalighat

Kalighat is a historic locality in Kolkata, India, renowned for the Kalighat Kali Temple, a major Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to the goddess Kali. The temple’s origins trace back to ancient times, with the current structure built in the early 19th century, and it is believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where the toes of Sati’s right foot fell. The area also gave rise to the Kalighat painting style, a distinct school of art that flourished in the 19th century.

Kalyani

Kalyani is a historic city in West Bengal, India, known for its association with the Buddhist king Nagarjuna and the ancient Pala Empire. The site features the Kalyani University campus and remnants of old temples and monasteries, reflecting its significance as a center of learning and culture from the 8th to 12th centuries. Today, it is a planned satellite town of Kolkata, blending its historical heritage with modern urban development.