Who Rules Trinamool Now? Speaker Rathindra Bose Holds Key As Mamata Faces Her 'Shiv Sena' Moment In Bengal
Who Rules Trinamool Now? Speaker Rathindra Bose Holds Key As Mamata Faces Her 'Shiv Sena' Moment In Bengal Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026
Who Rules Trinamool Now? Speaker Rathindra Bose Holds Key As Mamata Faces Her 'Shiv Sena' Moment In Bengal Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 12:52 IST Ritabrata Banerjee has said the West Bengal Assembly Speaker had accepted the rebel camp’s bid to be recognised as the party’s legislature wing. Rapid Read West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose. (Image: X/rathindraOFC) The battle for control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has moved beyond political rallies and party meetings into a constitutional arena where one individual could play a decisive role – West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose. The ongoing rebellion within the TMC, led by expelled party leader Ritabrata Banerjee, has triggered an unprecedented fight over who represents the “asli" (real) Trinamool Congress inside the West Bengal Assembly. While former chief minister Mamata Banerjee remains the undisputed founder and face of the party, the legislature wing is witnessing a challenge unlike anything seen in the party’s history. How the TMC Rebellion Reached the Speaker’s Door Recent claims by the rebel camp suggest that 58 MLAs have backed Ritabrata Banerjee as their leader and sought recognition as a separate legislature party.
The dissidents argue that they now command the support of a majority of TMC legislators and therefore deserve official recognition within the Assembly. In fact, Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday said the West Bengal Assembly Speaker had accepted the rebel camp’s bid to be recognised as the party’s legislature wing and even urged Mamata Banerjee to serve as its chief adviser. Banerjee also announced that Akhruzzaman had been appointed chief whip, while veteran legislators Javed Ahmed Khan, Sandeepan Saha, Sabina Yasmin and Shiuli Saha would be deputy leaders. “The letters communicating these appointments have already been submitted to the Speaker," he said. The rival camp has strongly disputed these claims and has written to the Speaker seeking recognition of senior leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of Opposition, setting up a direct institutional confrontation between the two factions. As both camps seek legitimacy, the Speaker’s office has become the centre of Bengal’s biggest political battle. What Role Will The Speaker Play Amid The TMC Battle? At the heart of the dispute is a crucial distinction in Indian politics: the difference between the political party and the legislature party.
Mamata Banerjee continues to head the Trinamool Congress as an organisation. However, inside the Assembly, it is the Speaker who decides which group enjoys recognition as the official legislature party, who its leader is and which faction can claim various parliamentary privileges. In cases involving splits, defections or rival leadership claims, the Speaker’s interpretation often becomes the first and most important constitutional test. Even if Mamata Banerjee retains complete control over the party organisation, a rival group recognised by the Speaker could claim to represent the legislative face of the TMC within the Assembly. Recognition affects speaking time, committee representation, seating arrangements and political legitimacy. More importantly, it can shape public perception about where the majority of elected representatives stand. That is why the battle is not merely about procedural recognition but about who can claim to be the authentic voice of the Trinamool Congress. For now, Rathindra Bose occupies a position few Assembly Speakers find themselves in. His decisions will not determine who founded the TMC or who remains its most popular leader. But they could determine which faction enjoys constitutional recognition within the Assembly and whether the rebellion acquires institutional legitimacy.
In that sense, the Speaker has become more than a procedural authority. He is now the constitutional referee in a contest that could shape the future of Bengal’s most influential political party. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Pragati Ratti Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures... Read More First Published: June 04, 2026, 12:52 IST News explainers Who Rules Trinamool Now? Speaker Rathindra Bose Holds Key As Mamata Faces Her 'Shiv Sena' Moment In Bengal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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