How a first-time TMC MLA got 60 MLAs to rebel against Mamata in weeks

Key points

• As the Trinamool Congress grappled with its biggest internal crisis, with a rebel group led by first-time MLA Ritabrata Banerjee claiming to be the real authority, several have drawn parallels with the 'Maharashtra model'.
• A few years ago, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar triggered a similar crisis, leading to splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP, respectively.
• Now, Ritabrata is no Shinde or Pawar.
• Nor is he a mass leader.
• The bigger question then is how a first-time TMC MLA managed to rally 60 legislators against Mamata?