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Expelled TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has secured more than 50 signatures to seek a change in the Leader of Opposition post in West Bengal Assembly.
Expelled TMC MLA Ritabrata Claims Backing of 59 MLAs. File pic/X
A major political churn appears to be taking shape in West Bengal. On Wednesday, days after Trinamool Congress (TMC) expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee from the party, he reached the state Assembly and met the Speaker claiming the support of 59 TMC legislators out of total 80 legislators.
According to News18 sources, he has collected more than 50 signatures seeking a change in the post of Leader of the Opposition (LoP), setting the stage for a fresh contest within the opposition camp in the state Assembly.
Ritabrata was among two legislators expelled by the party on Monday for alleged anti-party activities. The action came just 15 minutes after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, during a press conference, disclosed his name and stated that the Speaker had received a formal complaint from the rebel MLA.
Ritabrata and fellow MLA Sandipan Saha had earlier alleged that their signatures, along with those of several other TMC legislators, were forged on a party resolution document submitted on May 6.
The disputed document named the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Leader and Chief Whip of the party in the Assembly. The two legislators questioned the authenticity of the signatures attached to the resolution and raised objections over the process followed by the party leadership.
Amid the controversy, the TMC on Wednesday formally announced its leadership positions in the Assembly.
The party appointed veteran leader Sobhandev Chatterjee as the Leader of the Opposition and Firhad Hakim as the party’s chief whip.
The developments come a month after the TMC suffered defeat at the hands of the BJP in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen…Read More
Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India
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