NEW DELHI — A faction of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) led by former minister Ritabrata Banerjee entered the party’s West Bengal headquarters in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Thursday, replacing the incumbent office set‑up with its own banners and staff. The takeover follows a full‑bench hearing before the Election Commission of India (EC) in Delhi on Wednesday, where Banerjee’s group asserted legal claim to the party’s official symbol and premises.
What happened
On Wednesday, Ritabrata Banerjee and a cohort of sitting Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who were expelled from the AITC earlier this month appeared before the EC’s full bench in New Delhi. The bench, constituted under Section 11 of the Representation of the People Act, was convened to hear a dispute over the ownership of the Trinamool party’s election symbol and its Kolkata headquarters. Both sides presented arguments, but the commission adjourned without delivering a ruling.
The following day, Banerjee’s supporters moved into the party’s central office in Salt Lake. According to reports, they unfurled their own flags, installed new signage and placed staff loyal to the splinter group inside the building, effectively displacing the existing party apparatus. The move was described by the faction as a “necessary step to protect the party’s democratic ethos.”
Mamata Banerjee’s office rejected the occupation as unlawful. A spokesperson for the chief minister said the headquarters remain under the control of the “legitimate” AITC leadership and warned that the episode is an attempt to sow confusion ahead of West Bengal’s scheduled assembly elections in early 2026.
Why it matters
The AITC has ruled West Bengal since 2011, and its electoral fortunes hinge on the perception of a unified front under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. A visible split, especially one that involves the seizure of the party’s symbolic headquarters, could be leveraged by opposition forces. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been making incremental gains in the state, is likely to highlight the infighting in its campaign narrative.
Political analysts cited by The Hindu note that the dispute may erode voter confidence in the AITC’s cohesion. “Any perception of disunity can be exploited by rivals, particularly the BJP, which is keen to capitalize on internal turmoil,” one commentator said. At the same time, other observers caution that the conflict may remain confined to party structures, with limited impact on the broader electorate.
Background and context
Ritabrata Banerjee, a former minister in the Trinamool government, was expelled from the party in February 2024 after making a series of statements that the leadership deemed anti‑party. Since his dismissal, Banerjee has cultivated a faction of MLAs who share his grievances, positioning themselves as the “true” custodians of Trinamool’s legacy.
The EC’s involvement stems from the legal framework governing political parties in India. Under Section 11 of the Representation of the People Act, the commission can adjudicate disputes over a party’s name, symbol and headquarters when multiple claimants emerge. The full bench hearing in Delhi marks a rare escalation, as most intra‑party disputes are settled internally or through lower‑level EC panels.
The AITC’s headquarters in Salt Lake serve not only as an administrative hub but also as a visual emblem of the party’s dominance in West Bengal. Control of the premises carries symbolic weight, especially in a state where political identity is closely tied to party infrastructure.
Competing claims and uncertainty
Both factions assert legal entitlement to the Trinamool symbol and the Kolkata office. Banerjee’s camp argues that the expulsions were politically motivated and that the EC should recognize their claim as the legitimate continuation of the party’s ethos. The official AITC leadership, meanwhile, maintains that the expulsions were lawful and that the party’s constitution grants the central committee authority to manage symbols and assets.
The EC has not yet issued a decision, leaving the status of the headquarters and the party’s election symbol in limbo. The commission’s pending ruling introduces uncertainty into the AITC’s election strategy, as the party must navigate campaign logistics without a definitive resolution on its branding.
Legal experts note that the EC’s final order will hinge on documentary evidence such as party registration records, minutes of the AITC’s executive meetings and any formal notices of expulsion. Until those documents are examined, the commission is unlikely to grant either side full control.
What to watch next
1. EC ruling – The commission is expected to reconvene within the next two weeks to deliver a verdict on the symbol and headquarters dispute. The language of the order will clarify whether Banerjee’s faction gains formal recognition or whether the existing leadership retains exclusive rights.
2. Legal challenges – Both camps have indicated readiness to pursue judicial review if the EC’s decision is unfavorable. Court filings could extend the dispute into the election year.
3. Party mobilization – The AITC’s central committee is likely to intensify internal discipline measures, possibly expelling additional dissenters or reshuffling senior officials to project unity.
4. Opposition response – The BJP and other regional parties may amplify the infighting in public rallies and media campaigns, framing it as evidence of Trinamool’s instability. Monitoring their messaging will reveal how the dispute is being weaponized.
5. Ground‑level impact – Local party units in West Bengal’s districts may experience confusion over campaign directives, especially if the symbol’s status remains unsettled. Reports from district offices in the coming weeks will indicate whether the split is affecting grassroots organization.
Conclusion
The seizure of the Trinamool headquarters by Ritabrata Banerjee’s faction marks a rare, public manifestation of internal dissent within a party that has long projected a monolithic front under Mamata Banerjee. While the EC’s pending decision will determine the legal ownership of the party’s symbol and office, the episode already underscores the fragility of intra‑party cohesion ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections. How the AITC manages the narrative, whether it can contain the dispute within its ranks, and how opposition parties exploit the situation will shape the political calculus in the state’s crucial next electoral cycle.
Sources
– “Trinamool infighting escalates as Ritabrata‑led camp ‘takes control’ over party headquarters.” The Hindu, 3 July 2026. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/trinamool-infighting-escalates-as-ritabrata-led-camp-takes-control-over-party-headquarters/article71179586.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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