File photo NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) seems to be staring at a party split after suspended leader Riju Dutta claimed that 50 MLAs held discussions at a hotel regarding the future of the party. He claimed that they will meet the West Bengal assembly speaker and put forward three demands, including that of being the “real Trinamool”. They would also stake claim over the party symbol and demand that the leader of opposition be Ritabrata Bandopadhyay, and not Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. “Two TMC MLAs, Ritabrata Bandopadhyay and Sandipan Saha, wrote a letter to the Speaker claiming their signatures were forged. Upon hearing this, the Trinamool Congress expelled these two MLAs. Since I also served in the Trinamool Congress for many years, I received news and Kunal Ghosh also stated in the press that approximately 50 Trinamool Congress MLAs, led by Ritabrata Bandopadhyay, met at a hotel. They also spoke on the phone and held a meeting with several MLAs at the MLA hostel in the evening,” said suspended TMC leader, Riju Dutta.Listing their demands, he said, “First, we are a two-thirds majority. Around 50 MLAs are with us. We are the real Trinamool Congress. Second, since we are the real Trinamool Congress, the Leader of the Opposition will be Ritabrata Bandopadhyay, and not Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. Thirdly, we have a two-thirds majority, so this symbol should be ours.”Will Bengal see a Maharashtra model?Riju Dutta said that the “Shiv Sena Maharashtra model” was currently in effect in West Bengal, referring to the 2022 split led by Eknath Shinde.In 2022, Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, splitting the Shiv Sena and bringing down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.The consequences went beyond a mere division of legislators. Uddhav Thackeray eventually lost control of the original “Shiv Sena” name and its iconic bow-and-arrow symbol to the Shinde faction.However, senior TMC leader and MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay has claimed that the overwhelming majority of the party’s legislators remained firmly behind Mamata Banerjee and that the organisation would continue to be guided by its veteran leadership.TMC chief Mamata Banerjee slammed the rebel MLAs seeking to allegedly join Suvendu government in Bengal, terming them “traitors”. About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’No Role For Any Third Parties’: India On Nepal PM’s Remarks On Border Encroachment, Britain Talks’Aligning With Traitor’: Mamata Slams TMC Rebels, Claims BJP Rigged Counting In 177 Bengal SeatsIndia Issues Formal Request To France For 114 Rafale Fighter Jets In ₹3.25 Lakh Crore Defence DealI.N.D.I.A Bloc Leaders To Meet June 8 In Delhi To Finalise Joint Strategy Against BJP’Know BJP’ Initiative Hosts Nepal RSP Leader As BJP Expands Global Political DialogueDelhi Shocker: 2 Murders & Child Shot Within 24 Hours in New Usmanpur | Police Launch Massive ProbeSiddaramaiah Likely To Continue Living At Prestigious Cauvery Bungalow Even After Leaving CM PostMamata Banerjee Announces Protest Despite Police Denial, Alleges BJP Plot Against TMCAfter Poll Setback, Annamalai’s Exit Buzz Grows Amid New Party SpeculationShinde, Uddhav Camps See BJP As Bigger Threat, Calls For Sena Reunion Grow123Photostories8 ‘just Indian girl things’ that sound strange but make complete sense at homeHow to remove a suntan naturally? Try these dal face packs for clear, glowing skin6 fruit peels you should stop throwing away and whyMeet Calmaria Incredibilis: The two-headed snake from China that fooled scientists for years until DNA proved it!Taking protein powder? The hidden dangers no one tells youAfter RCB’s big IPL win, Anushka Sharma keeps things traditionally rooted in this Anavila suit for her Vrindavan visit with Virat KohliFrom Shiva’s Kashi to Krishna’s Dwarka: 10 Indian cities and their patron deities5 smart money habits every working woman should follow as soon as salary creditsPride Month 2026: ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’, ‘Kapoor & Sons’ to ‘Aligarh’, LGBTQIA+ Bollywood movies to watch on OTT10 small morning habits successful people practice every day to stay ahead of everyone else123Hot PicksBrazil FIFA World CupTN private schoolsShanimol OsmanCUET UG admit cardSouth Korea stock marketITR filing FY 2025-26Dave FijiTop TrendingPunjab Student SuicideDelhi ITO FireWWE Clash Results and HighlightsDelhi Mukundpur LPG BlastRUHS CUET 2026 resultSupreme CourtIPL Awards Full ListBSEB Bihar Sakashmta Pariksha Admit CardNTAJIPMAT 2026 admit card
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) seems to be staring at a party split after suspended leader Riju Dutta claimed that 50 MLAs held discussions at a hotel regarding the future of the party. He claimed that they will meet the West Bengal assembly speaker and put forward three demands, including that of being the “real Trinamool”. They would also stake claim over the party symbol and demand that the leader of opposition be Ritabrata Bandopadhyay, and not Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. “Two TMC MLAs, Ritabrata Bandopadhyay and Sandipan Saha, wrote a letter to the Speaker claiming their signatures were forged. Upon hearing this, the Trinamool Congress expelled these two MLAs. Since I also served in the Trinamool Congress for many years, I received news and Kunal Ghosh also stated in the press that approximately 50 Trinamool Congress MLAs, led by Ritabrata Bandopadhyay, met at a hotel. They also spoke on the phone and held a meeting with several MLAs at the MLA hostel in the evening,” said suspended TMC leader, Riju Dutta.Listing their demands, he said, “First, we are a two-thirds majority. Around 50 MLAs are with us. We are the real Trinamool Congress. Second, since we are the real Trinamool Congress, the Leader of the Opposition will be Ritabrata Bandopadhyay, and not Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. Thirdly, we have a two-thirds majority, so this symbol should be ours.”
Will Bengal see a Maharashtra model?
Riju Dutta said that the “Shiv Sena Maharashtra model” was currently in effect in West Bengal, referring to the 2022 split led by Eknath Shinde.In 2022, Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, splitting the Shiv Sena and bringing down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.The consequences went beyond a mere division of legislators. Uddhav Thackeray eventually lost control of the original “Shiv Sena” name and its iconic bow-and-arrow symbol to the Shinde faction.However, senior TMC leader and MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay has claimed that the overwhelming majority of the party’s legislators remained firmly behind Mamata Banerjee and that the organisation would continue to be guided by its veteran leadership.TMC chief Mamata Banerjee slammed the rebel MLAs seeking to allegedly join Suvendu government in Bengal, terming them “traitors”.
