Archive · 16 Sep 2026
West Bengal Assembly Notifies 10 Rebel TMC MLAs
West Bengal’s Assembly has sent notices to 10 lawmakers from a rebel group within the TMC.
The lawmakers must reply within seven days.
The notice follows a request from Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, who supports the Mamata Banerjee-led faction.
He says the 10 lawmakers acted against the party and should lose their seats under anti-defection rules.
The rebel group says it has support from most TMC lawmakers in the Assembly.
Its spokesperson says the notices are only a normal procedural step.
The two groups are also arguing over who should lead the opposition and control the party’s name and symbol.
A final decision on the lawmakers’ disqualification has not been reported.
The West Bengal Assembly Secretariat issued notices to 10 MLAs aligned with the rebel TMC camp.
The legislators have seven days to respond to a disqualification petition under the anti-defection law.
Sovandeb Chattopadhyay sought their disqualification after Ritabrata Banerjee was recognised as leader of the opposition.
The rebel camp says 65 of TMC’s 80 MLAs support Ritabrata Banerjee and calls the notices routine.
The dispute also involves 20 rebel Lok Sabha MPs, the TMC symbol and the party’s organisational control.
- Who
- The West Bengal Assembly Secretariat issued notices to 10 MLAs aligned with the rebel TMC camp, following a plea by Sovandeb Chattopadhyay on behalf of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction.
- What
- The Secretariat began a proceeding by seeking replies to a petition requesting the MLAs’ disqualification under the anti-defection law.
- When
- The notices were issued on Tuesday, with the MLAs given seven days to respond; Chattopadhyay’s letter to the Speaker was dated July 7.
- Where
- The proceeding is before the West Bengal Assembly; related legal matters are pending before the Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court.
- Why
- The Mamata Banerjee-led faction alleges that the 10 MLAs acted against the party’s interests and defied its leadership.
Mamata Banerjee-led faction
Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction
Disqualification petition
Mamata Banerjee-led faction
The faction says the 10 MLAs acted against the party leadership and that their conduct warrants disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction
The rebel camp calls the move politically motivated and says the notices are a routine procedural step.
Control of the Assembly
Mamata Banerjee-led faction
The faction nominated Sovandeb Chattopadhyay for leader of the opposition and challenged the recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee.
Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction
The rebel camp says Ritabrata Banerjee has the support of 65 of TMC’s 80 MLAs and maintains that his position is legitimate.
Party identity and organisation
Mamata Banerjee-led faction
The faction is contesting the rival camp’s claims to the TMC’s organisational authority, name and election symbol.
Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction
The rebel camp has undertaken a parallel organisational exercise and also claims the party’s identity, symbol and resources.
- MLAs notified
- 10 legislators aligned with the rebel TMC camp
- Response deadline
- Within seven days
- Petitioner
- Sovandeb Chattopadhyay
- Leader at dispute
- Ritabrata Banerjee, whom the Assembly Speaker recognised as leader of the opposition
- Alleged grounds
- Acting against the party’s interests under the anti-defection law
- Claimed rebel support
- 65 of TMC’s 80 MLAs, according to the rebel camp
- Parliamentary dispute
- 20 rebel Lok Sabha MPs reportedly left TMC and joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India
- Election Commission dispute
- Rival factions have claimed the TMC name, twin-flower-on-grass symbol and organisational resources; a decision is awaited
