Rebel TMC bloc takes over state party office; Mamata faction lodges police complaint

By moving into the premises, the dissidents sought to reinforce their claim to organisational legitimacy amid an escalating battle with the Mamata Banerjee-led faction.

Accompanied by senior leaders, including Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha and Akhruzzaman, Ritabrata visited the office and held a meeting there.

At the time, Mamata-led faction leader and former minister Chandrima Bhattacharya was there but after Ritabrata and others entered the premises, she left.

“We are the real Trinamool Congress and this office belongs to the Trinamool Congress. We already spoke to the house owner. This is our party office and it will remain our  party office. The key of the main gate lock will be with us. I always used to come to this office. However, during the elections, I did not come here for many days. After a  long time, I came here. This is nothing unusual,” Akhrujjaman said.

The developments triggered an immediate response from the camp loyal to Mamata Banerjee.

Senior leader Kunal Ghosh reached the office after learning of the developments, but was unable to enter as the gates had been locked. Police from Pragati Maidan police station also reached the spot, while central forces were deployed around the premises to prevent any confrontation.

The Mamata Banerjee faction also lodged a police complaint over alleged forceful occupation of the party office.

After speaking to police officials, Ghosh alleged that he was not allowed entry through any of the other access points to the building. He said police personnel were stationed at those gates and that entry could only be made after opening the newly installed locks.

“We will never break the lock and enter. The entire matter will be reported to Mamata Banerjee and the party leadership,” he said.

Describing the episode as “unfortunate”, Ghosh accused the dissidents of attempting to create confusion within the party.

“Those who are making these claims did not win as independents. Workers are hurt by such actions. We will not indulge in any irresponsible conduct,” he said.

Earlier, house owner of Trinamool Bhavan, Monotosh Saha had alleged that the rent agreement with the TMC had ended in 2025. Even after a year had passed, TMC did not vacate the house.

He also alleged that after the election results were announced, he had asked the party leaders to vacate the building. However, he alleged that there was no response from the party.

The rebel faction on Friday said that they have already renewed the agreement and it will function as the state party office.

The latest move follows Thursday’s meeting between a delegation led by Ritabrata Banerjee and the full bench of the Election Commission in New Delhi.

The delegation met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners and pressed its claim over the party’s organisational structure and leadership.

The meeting drew sharp criticism from the Mamata Banerjee camp, which maintained that leaders expelled from the party had no authority to represent it before the poll panel.

However, the Election Commission subsequently wrote to both factions, asking them to submit their claims and counter-claims regarding organisational elections, authorised signatories and control of the party by 5.30 pm on July 6.

(With PTI inputs)