The Trinamool Congress is grappling with a growing political crisis as suspended party leader Riju Dutta has suggested that approximately 50 MLAs could break away to establish the ‘Asli Trinamool Congress’. Dutta revealed that a meeting involving these MLAs, led by Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee, was held recently, with intentions to create a new party akin to the Shiv Sena split in Maharashtra in 2022.
Following allegations of anti-party activities, the Trinamool Congress took action by expelling Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha. Dutta disclosed that the dissident leaders aspire to form a separate entity named ‘Asli Trinamool Congress’ and nominate Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition.
Moreover, Dutta mentioned that these MLAs might lay claim to the Trinamool’s party symbol in the future. He highlighted the plea made by Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh for party unity and resistance against Ritabrata Banerjee’s influence.
Dutta emphasized the discontent among party members towards Trinamool’s general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and the imposition of I-PAC. Allegedly, nearly 50 MLAs are on the verge of breaking away to establish the ‘Asli Trinamool Congress’ and are planning to inform the Assembly Speaker accordingly.
Citing the potential defection of 50 MLAs, Dutta expressed skepticism about the anti-defection law’s efficacy. He drew parallels to the Shiv Sena’s internal divisions, likening the situation to the Shiv Sena Maharashtra Model unfolding in Bengal.
In response to the expulsion, Ritabrata Banerjee claimed that Abhishek Banerjee sought Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) security cover following an incident of public outrage in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas district.
