Ritabrata faction takes control of TMC headquarters, locks gates amid battle for party identity

Public Lokpal
July 03, 2026

KOLKATA: The battle for control of the TMC escalated dramatically on Friday when the rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee took charge of the party's Metropolitan headquarters in Kolkata, changed the locks, put up fresh posters and declared it would henceforth operate from the premises.

The move came barely 24 hours after the dissident camp appeared before the full bench of the Election Commission in New Delhi to stake its claim over the party's name, symbol and organisational structure, signalling an effort to translate its legislative strength into organisational control.

Accompanied by senior leaders Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha and party treasurer Akhruzzaman, Ritabrata arrived at the office on the EM Bypass and held a meeting inside the premises, asserting that his camp represented the "real" TMC.

PTI