TMC power struggle deepens as rebels take over party headquarters, Mamata camp locked out

Accompanied by several MLAs, including Firhad Hakim, Sandipan Saha, Javed Khan and party treasurer Akruzzaman, the dissident leaders entered the Metropolitan office, changed the locks on the gates, installed new posters and held a meeting inside the premises.

The faction announced that all party activities would now be conducted from the building.

'This is our headquarters'

Addressing the media, Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that his group represents the "real" Trinamool Congress and would formally begin functioning from the office from Saturday.

"We are the Trinamool Congress. This is our headquarters," he said.

Party treasurer Akruzzaman said the office holds deep emotional significance for party workers.

"The Trinamool Congress has an emotional attachment to this office. The agreement with the owners has been completed, and all organisational work will now be conducted from here," he said.

The rebels also installed a new signboard identifying senior MLA Arup Roy as chairman of the All India Trinamool Congress. However, photographs and cut-outs of Mamata Banerjee inside the premises were left untouched.

Election Commission battle intensifies

The dramatic takeover comes a day after Ritabrata Banerjee and other rebel leaders met the full bench of the Election Commission in New Delhi, staking their claim over the party's name, election symbol, organisational structure and assets.

Following the meeting, the Election Commission directed both factions to submit documents and counter-claims relating to organisational elections, authorised signatories and control of the party by 5:30 pm on July 6.

Mamata camp locked out

Soon after news of the takeover spread, MLAs loyal to Mamata Banerjee reached the office but found the gates locked and were unable to enter.

Senior Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh criticised the move, calling it "unfortunate."

"Any MLA of the party has the right to come to the party office. Why are locks being put up?" he asked.

Taking a swipe at the dissident camp, Ghosh alleged that its leaders had abandoned party workers.

"If Trinamool workers are being attacked and need support, these people do not go to their constituencies. Instead, they have become puppets in someone else's hands," he said.

The Mamata Banerjee faction also alleged that the takeover was carried out with the tacit support of the state administration and police—a charge firmly rejected by the rebels.

Growing rift within the party

The Metropolitan office has functioned as the Trinamool Congress headquarters since 2022 while the party's original office has been undergoing renovation.

The latest development marks another escalation in the widening split within the party. Last month, the dissident camp convened a special session and elected Arup Roy as chairperson while announcing a parallel national leadership structure.

The rebels claim they now enjoy the support of around 65 of the party's 80 MLAs, up from the 58 legislators who had earlier backed Ritabrata Banerjee's claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.

The political realignment has also extended to Parliament, with 20 of the Trinamool's 28 Lok Sabha MPs breaking away, merging with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and aligning with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

As the leadership battle deepens, both factions continue to stake claim over the Trinamool Congress name, election symbol, organisational control and party assets, with the Election Commission expected to play a crucial role in resolving the dispute.