No further extension to rebel camp: Mamata urges EC to end TMC control dispute

Mamata Banerjee has asked the Election Commission to close the Trinamool Congress ownership dispute after alleging the rival camp missed repeated reply deadlines. The ruling will decide which faction keeps the party name, symbol, organisation and assets.Mamata urges EC to end TMC control row after Ritabrata camp misses key deadlinesFormer West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has asked the Election Commission to conclude its inquiry into the dispute over the ownership of the Trinamool Congress name, election symbol and organisational control, saying the rival faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee had failed to respond despite repeated extensions.In a letter addressed to Election Commission secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal on Wednesday, the TMC founder-chairperson said the rival group should not be given any further opportunity and urged the poll panel to bring the proceedings to a close "as early as possible" because the matter has "serious political ramifications in West Bengal".The letter is the latest push from the Mamata Banerjee camp for an early ruling in the contest that will decide which faction is recognised as the "real" All India Trinamool Congress, and who will be entitled to its poll symbol, organisational identity, assets and funds.The communication has come at a politically sensitive time, with the Election Commission examining rival claims over the recognised state party after an unprecedented split within the Trinamool Congress. Referring to the commission's communication dated 2 July, Banerjee said her camp had complied with the EC's direction and filed its detailed response on 6 July within the deadline, despite having been given very little time.She said that, in line with the commission's directions, a copy of that reply was also served to Ritabrata Banerjee through both e-mail and speed post. According to her letter, the EC had also asked Ritabrata Banerjee to submit his comments on the representations concerning the recognised political party by 6 July. Banerjee said the commission later extended that deadline to 10 July through a communication dated 7 July. She added that, after Ritabrata Banerjee sought another 15 days, the EC granted time till 25 July by a communication dated 13 July."Even after 25th July 2026, we have not been informed whether Shri Ritabrata Banerjee has submitted his reply or not, and if he has replied, no such copy has been provided to us. Therefore, it can be inferred that no reply has been submitted," the letter said.She argued that, as the rival factions had not responded even after two extensions, "it can be inferred that all our submissions and statements pointed out in our letter dated 6th July 2026 have been admitted, and they do not have any answer to that."She further said there was now "no scope" for the rival camp to construct an entirely new case beyond the representations originally made before the commission on 22 June. "In short, they cannot make out a new case other than the letters addressed by them on 22nd June 2026," Banerjee wrote.Questioning the repeated extensions granted to the rival faction, Banerjee alleged that the additional time could be used to create supporting material. "We firmly believe that because of the extension of time granted by you, Shri Ritabrata Banerjee and others are trying to create false evidence to develop their case since they do not have any merit in respect of their allegations which we have firmly disputed," the letter stated.She also said the proceedings before the Election Commission must remain procedurally fair. "There should be a level playing field for us to meet the grievances made by them... and for them to deal with our contentions. We humbly submit it would be inappropriate to give them any further extension after 25th July 2026," she wrote.Seeking an early end to the proceedings, Banerjee said, "Since the matter has serious political ramifications in West Bengal, I would request you to conclude the investigation as early as possible without providing them with any further date to submit their comments.""Justice must be rooted through confidence, and if any further time after 25th July 2026 is given, that confidence is shaken," she added.The commission's eventual decision is expected to determine which faction will retain the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol, and who will be treated as the legitimate claimant to the party's organisational structure and financial assets.The dispute has arisen from a power struggle between the Mamata Banerjee faction and the rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee.For the first time since Mamata Banerjee founded the TMC in 1998, a rebel faction replaced her as party chairperson, elected senior MLA Arup Roy to the post and announced a parallel leadership structure, taking the contest for control of the party beyond the legislature and into its organisational core.The exercise has unfolded amid a crisis within the opposition party after its defeat in the Assembly elections in May this year, which ended its 15-year rule in West Bengal.The political confrontation intensified after a majority of TMC MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee's claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition and rejected the Mamata Banerjee camp's nominee, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay. That legislative leadership dispute is pending before the courts. Alongside the court case, both factions have approached the Election Commission with rival claims over the recognised political party, leading the poll panel to seek detailed submissions from both sides before deciding which group represents the "real" Trinamool Congress under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order.With Banerjee now asking the Election Commission not to allow any further delay, the dispute over the party's name, symbol, organisation and assets has entered another crucial stage. The poll panel's ruling will decide which faction is formally recognised as the Trinamool Congress and will shape the next phase of the battle between the two camps.- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 11:11 IST