Mamata Banerjee Forms New TMC Committee For Second Time In 2 Weeks; Sends List To EC

Kolkata: Amidst the ongoing rebellion and severe internal power struggle within West Bengal's main opposition party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), party chief Mamata Banerjee has submitted a newly revised list of the TMC working committee to the Election Commission. According to sources, this list—dated Monday, June 22—was filed with the Election Commission in New Delhi on the same day.

Why is this move by Mamata Banerjee significant?

Political analysts believe that Mamata Banerjee has constituted a new national working committee for the second time in just two weeks—a rapid move aimed at regaining full control over the party organization following a massive, historic rebellion, sidelining dissident leaders, and strengthening her legal claim over the party before the Election Commission (EC).

This development unfolded on the same day that a dissident faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee announced its own separate working committee. Both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have been excluded from the new structure of this rebel faction. The dissident group has appointed former minister and Central Howrah MLA Arup Roy as its Chairman. Additionally, MLAs Firhad Hakim and Rathin Ghosh have been named Vice-Chairmen, while Ritabrata Banerjee, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, and Sabina Yasmin have been appointed General Secretaries. Meanwhile, Akharuzzaman has been appointed the faction's Treasurer.

Why has the political landscape shifted drastically in a few days?

However, it remains unclear whether Mamata Banerjee submitted her list to the Election Commission before or after the dissident faction's announcement. Her revised list retains her as Chairperson and Abhishek Banerjee as National General Secretary. It is worth noting that Banerjee had previously formed a new working committee on June 5—in light of the party's disappointing performance in the recently concluded assembly elections and the looming threat of rebellion—but the political dynamics have shifted completely over the past few days. Former minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who was part of that committee, had resigned from all posts last week citing health reasons. Meanwhile, Saayoni Ghosh—appointed head of the youth wing—and Mala Roy—head of the women's wing—have now joined the dissident faction. Both have formally become members of a new party called the 'Rashtravadi Nagarik Party'.

Was Nadimul Haque Included in the New Committee?

All members who defected to the dissident camp have been excluded from Mamata Banerjee's newly reconstituted committee. Nadimul Haque has been given a place in this new committee. Within this body, Subrata Bakshi has been appointed Vice President, Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen as Joint Secretaries, and Chandrima Bhattacharya has been entrusted with the role of State President. Meanwhile, former state minister Aroop Biswas, acting as Treasurer, has written to bank officials demanding a freeze on financial transactions involving Trinamool Congress accounts. He had also been spotted at the dissident faction's meeting on Monday.

All Eyes on the Election Commission?

Party sources state it remains unclear whether the list finalized on June 5 was previously submitted to the Election Commission or if this new list is being filed directly as the primary document. With conflicting claims emerging from both factions, all eyes are now on the Election Commission to see which committee it recognizes as the party's official and legitimate structure. Political analysts believe that this battle for control over the party could ultimately reach the courts following the Election Commission's decision.