Just a month after its electoral defeat, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears to be grappling with growing internal dissent. In a significant development, Ritabrata Banerjee took charge as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday, as the rebel camp within the party continued to gain strength.
Earlier in the day, the office of the Leader of the Opposition was opened, and Banerjee formally assumed the position. The rebel bloc later addressed a press conference.
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‘There Is No Individual Leader’: Ritabrata
Speaking to reporters, Banerjee said the Trinamool Congress Legislature Party in the 18th West Bengal Assembly would function as a collective team rather than under a single leader.
“There is no individual leader in our Legislature Party. It is a team. We fought together against the mindset that one person is the leader and others are followers. Different responsibilities may be assigned, such as Leader of the Opposition, Chief Whip or Deputy Leader, but we are essentially a team of 58 MLAs elected on the Trinamool Congress symbol,” he said.
60 MLAs Backs Ritabrata?
Banerjee claimed that two more MLAs, who are currently outside the state, are expected to extend their support, taking the group’s strength to 60 legislators.
He also announced that Raghunathganj MLA Akhrujjaman has been proposed as the Chief Whip. Four legislators have been nominated as Deputy Leaders: former minister and veteran politician Javed Khan, former minister Sabina Yasmin, former minister Shiuli Saha, and Sandipan Saha.
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According to Banerjee, a letter carrying the support of 58 MLAs was submitted to Assembly Speaker Rathindranath Bose. He said most of the legislators were present in person during the process.
Earlier on Wednesday, 58 TMC MLAs held a meeting at the Assembly. The gathering was attended by expelled legislators Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha. Following the meeting, a signed letter was submitted to Speaker Rathindranath Bose proposing Banerjee’s appointment as the Leader of the Opposition and Akhrujjaman’s appointment as Chief Whip.
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