State Bureau, Kolkata: Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has approached the Calcutta High Court opposing the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly.

The party has challenged Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindranath Bose's decision recognising Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition. The petition, filed by TMC leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, will be heard on June 11.

What is whole controversy?

The controversy deepened when 58 out of 80 TMC MLAs supported the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee and staked claim to the opposition camp in the Assembly. The group claimed the LoP post after Mamata expelled Ritabrata and Sandipan Saha for anti-party activities.

ALSO READ: Kolkata Gone, Delhi Slipping: Mamata's TMC Falls Apart As 20 Lok Sabha MPs Seek To Join NDA After Revolt By MLAs

The Assembly Speaker accepted the group's claim and said that the expulsion of Ritabrata and rebel MLA Sandipan was not in accordance with the party constitution and hence cannot be considered valid.

Against the law and party rules: TMC

The TMC has called the Speaker's decision against the law and party rules, arguing that an expelled member cannot be granted the status of Leader of the Opposition. The party is also preparing to question the Speaker's interpretation of the Constitution.

This development highlights the growing internal differences in Mamata Banerjee's party and appears to be taking the state's politics to a new turn. 

Earlier in the day, the former West Bengal CM suffered another big jolt as nearly 20 Trinamool Lok Sabha MPs, led by lawmaker Kakoli Ghosh, wrote a letter to Speaker Om Birla, extending their support to the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

ALSO READ: West Bengal: Locals Ransack TMC Leader Jahangir Khan's Office In Falta After His Arrest | Video

On Saturday night, at least 20 MPs held an informal meeting in Delhi to discuss the future course of action. The MPs reportedly expressed displeasure over the party's functioning.

However, senior TMC MP Sougata Roy had sought to dismiss suggestions of a larger exodus. "I have heard that some MPs held a separate meeting last night. Only they can say what was discussed in the meeting. I was not contacted by them," he said.