Trinamool rebel faction takes control of party headquarters in Kolkata
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The rebel faction of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Ritabrata Banerjee on Friday took control of the party's headquarters in Kolkata's Metropolitan area.
The move is escalating the internal power struggle over the party's leadership, assets and organisational structure.
The group, accompanied by several MLAs, including Firhad Hakim, Sandipan Saha, Javed Khan and party treasurer Akruzzaman, entered the office, changed the locks, put up new posters and held a meeting inside. They declared the building would function as the party's headquarters.
Akruzzaman said the office held emotional significance for the party and that all organisational work would now be conducted from the premises.
The rebels also installed a poster at the entrance identifying senior MLA Arup Roy as chairman of the All India Trinamool Congress, while retaining photographs and cut-outs of Mamata Banerjee inside the building.
Ritabrata Banerjee said the faction would formally begin operating from the office from Saturday. "We are the Trinamool Congress. This is our headquarters," he said.
The development came a day after the rebel faction met the full bench of the Election Commission in New Delhi to press its claim over the party's name, symbol, organisational structure and assets. The Commission subsequently asked both factions to submit documents and counter-claims by 5.30 pm on July 6.
As news of the takeover spread, MLAs loyal to Mamata Banerjee reached the office but found the gates locked. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh described the incident as unfortunate and questioned why party legislators were being denied access to the office.
The Mamata Banerjee camp alleged that the takeover had the tacit support of the state administration and police, a charge rejected by the rebel faction.
The leadership dispute has widened in recent weeks, with both camps claiming control of the party's organisation, finances and assets.