West Bengal: Expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday entered the West Bengal Assembly, claiming the support of 59 MLAs.

According to a report by India Today, he is being pitched as the new Leader of the Opposition (LoP) by this rebel faction. This development has triggered intense speculation over a major internal crisis within the party.

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TMC MLA Mustafizur Rahman is among the signatories to the letter backing Ritabrata Banerjee.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Rahman said, "We don't know the exact figure... I am hearing from outside that 59 signatures have been received. I have also signed."

Enough Members To Break The Party?

Following a crushing defeat in the West Bengal Assembly election, the TMC was left with 80 MLAs. With the support of approximately 59 MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha have enough members to avoid the anti-defection law, allowing the rebel faction to retain the TMC name and symbol.

According to sources cited by India Today, the rebel faction is preparing to submit a letter to the Speaker claiming the support of more than two-thirds of the party's MLAs. With the party having 80 seats in the Assembly, the two-thirds mark stands at 54 MLAs.

A meeting among the rebel MLAs is currently underway inside the Assembly, where the Speaker has also arrived.

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A New Trinamool?

According to the report, several MLAs attended a recent meeting in Kolkata. There is talk that these MLAs are preparing to declare themselves the 'real' Trinamool. However, there has been no official confirmation on plans to form a new party. 

What Is The Controversy?

The controversy began with a complaint alleging that the signatures of some MLAs on a resolution supporting the Leader of the Opposition were forged.

Based on the complaint, the Assembly Secretariat filed a case, which is being investigated by the CID. Shortly after, party supremo Mamata Banerjee questioned the role of the two MLAs as their names surfaced. Thereafter, TMC expelled Ritabrata and Sandipan on charges of anti-party activities.