TMC Power Struggle Deepens: Mamata Camp Rushes Leadership List to EC Ahead of Rebel Moves

Top Summary

• What happened: Mamata Banerjee's camp submitted a new list of All India Trinamool Congress office-bearers and a 24-member National Working Committee to the Election Commission, hours before a rebel faction announced its own leadership structure.
• Why it matters: The move escalates a deep internal power struggle, setting the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle over the control of the Trinamool Congress.
• What changes: The party's official leadership structure is now contested by two factions, potentially leading to significant shifts in internal governance and representation.
• Who is affected: Key leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and prominent party members are directly involved, alongside around 20 rebel MPs and MLAs, impacting the party's overall unity and future.

The battle for control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified on Tuesday after Mamata Banerjee's camp claimed it had finalised a new National Working Committee.

They submitted the party's office-bearers' list to the Election Commission (EC). This action reportedly occurred before a rebel faction could announce a parallel leadership structure and remove her as party chairperson.

According to sources, the party's leadership and a 24-member National Working Committee were finalised on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The list was communicated to the EC on Monday afternoon.

This pre-empted dissident leaders, led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, who held a special session in Kolkata and unveiled a rival organisational set-up.

Mamata Camp Solidifies Leadership

The submission to the poll panel asserted that Mamata Banerjee remains Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress. Subrata Bakshi was listed as Vice-President.

Abhishek Banerjee was named National General Secretary. Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen were included as Joint Secretaries, with Subhasish Chakraborty as Treasurer.

"While the rebel camp was making preparations for its own National Working Committee, Mamata Banerjee had already finalised the party's organisational structure and sent the list to the Election Commission as the chairperson of the TMC," a senior leader of her camp told PTI.

Sources said the list submitted to the EC reflected the party's organisational structure "as on June 20, 2026." It included a national working committee comprising Mamata Banerjee, Subrata Bakshi, Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen, Subhasish Chakraborty, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Amit Mitra, Rajesh Pati Tripathi, Asima Patra, Moloy Ghatak, Gautam Deb, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Bulu Chik Baraik, Mukul Sangma, Baiswanor Chattopadhyay, Birbaha Hansda, Kalyan Banerjee, Saugata Roy, Nadimul Haque, Madan Mitra, Biman Banerjee, Mahua Moitra, and Kunal Ghosh.

Chandrima Bhattacharya was also listed both as a member of the national working committee and West Bengal TMC president, while Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay was named Leader of the West Bengal Assembly.

Rebels Announce Parallel Structure

This development followed a day after a rebel faction of the party announced its own significant moves. They claimed to have removed Mamata Banerjee as chairperson.

Senior MLA Arup Roy was elected to the post, and a 30-member National Working Committee was constituted. This further deepened the organisational split within the party.

The faction, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, stated their actions were due to a "constitutional crisis" within the party. They argued the tenure of the previous National Working Committee, constituted in February 2022, had expired.

The dissidents claimed their special session was held in accordance with the party constitution and said the proceedings would also be communicated to the EC.

Mamata Camp Dismisses Rebel Moves

The Mamata Banerjee camp, however, dismissed the rebel exercise entirely. They maintained that the dissidents lacked any organisational legitimacy.

"It is a comedy show. A man who has been expelled from the TMC is holding a special session. The matter is in the court and we believe justice will be done. We do not give any importance to such comical behavior. TMC is equal to Mamata Banerjee. All else is a circus," senior party leader and MLA Kunal Ghosh asserted.

Sources in the Mamata camp indicated the new committee structure sent to the EC differed from previous organisational arrangements. Several leaders associated with the dissident camp were omitted.

Aroop Biswas, who had been part of a National Working Committee constituted earlier this month, was among those dropped from the revised panel.

In a parallel move, the party's disciplinary committee issued show-cause notices to several senior leaders. These included Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Arup Roy, Javed Khan, Rathin Ghosh, Biplab Mitra, Snehasis Chakraborty, and Sabina Yasmin, alleging anti-party activities.

Political and Legal Battle Ahead

The internal crisis has intensified amidst a rebellion involving around 20 MPs and a section of MLAs in West Bengal. The rebel faction claims substantial support from legislators.

Conversely, the Mamata camp insists the dissidents have no authority to alter the party's organisational structure.

With rival factions now staking claim to both the party's legislative and organisational wings, the dispute is expected to be primarily fought before the Election Commission.

The matter could eventually move to the courts, setting the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle over control of the party, founded by Mamata Banerjee in 1998.

What to Watch Next

The immediate focus will be on the Election Commission's response to the rival submissions and any legal challenges that may arise. Further disciplinary actions within the TMC and potential shifts in political allegiances are also critical developments to monitor.