Abhishek Banerjee writes to Lok Sabha speaker, lays claim to 'original' Trinamool Congress

Kolkata: Reports emerged that 'rebel' Trinamool Congress MPs were visiting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at his residence to submit a signed letter demanding the formation of a separate parliamentary faction. Amidst this, a letter written by Trinamool's All India General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, to Speaker Birla has surfaced. In it, the Diamond Harbour MP urged that no recognition be granted to any breakaway faction of the party.

Following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee's party is facing a massive rebellion from its own MLAs and MPs. The rebel faction claims to have the support of 22 MPs. Consequently, Party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee requested in his letter that his submission be placed on record: that the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) be treated as a single political party, represented in the House solely by its authorized leader and chief whip. He also urged that the party be given an opportunity to present its side before any decision is taken regarding any correspondence or request from the rebel MPs.

Trinamool Congress MPs Sagarika Ghose and Kirti Azad handed over this letter—written by Banerjee on June 10—to Speaker Birla at his residence here on Sunday. In the letter, Banerjee stated that the AITC should be recognized as a single political party represented in the House only by its authorized leader and chief whip, and that no recognition, status, or facility should be granted to any alleged breakaway faction or splinter group of the AITC.

He stated that if any such correspondence or communication is received, the AITC should be given an opportunity to present its case and be heard before any decision is taken. Banerjee further noted that for any claim of merger to be valid, both the merger of the political party and the support of two-thirds of the legislators are mandatory; fulfilling only one of these conditions under the law would not suffice.

The rebel faction claims to enjoy the support of the majority of the party's MPs and MLAs. Banerjee stated that the Trinamool Congress reserves the right to initiate action under the anti-defection law against any conduct violating the provisions of the Tenth Schedule. Meanwhile, before departing for New Delhi, rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar told reporters at Kolkata airport that two more Lok Sabha members might soon join this faction, bringing their total strength in the House to 22.

The battle for control over the Trinamool Congress is playing out simultaneously in both Parliament and the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Last week, 64 of the party's 80 MLAs broke away and secured recognition from Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose as a separate legislative group; additionally, Ritabrata Banerjee was recognized as the Leader of the Opposition. The Mamata Banerjee faction has challenged this decision in the Calcutta High Court.