Plot Twist? How Is Mamata Banerjee Planning To Win Back Rebels As TMC Crisis Deepens
Plot Twist? How Is Mamata Banerjee Planning To Win Back Rebels As TMC Crisis Deepens Published By, Last Updated: June 05, 2026, 19:43 IST Ritabrata
Plot Twist? How Is Mamata Banerjee Planning To Win Back Rebels As TMC Crisis Deepens Published By, Last Updated: June 05, 2026, 19:43 IST Ritabrata Banerjee’s revolt in TMC is weakening as rebel MLAs split over Mamata Banerjee’s role. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. (Image: PTI)/File The rebellion led by Ritabrata Banerjee against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership appears to be losing momentum, with signs of unease emerging among several MLAs who initially backed the revolt. The rebel camp had succeeded in bringing together a majority of the party’s legislators and opposing the appointment of Sobhandeb Chattopadhay as Leader of Opposition. Ritabrata’s elevation to the post further strengthened the perception that the rebels were attempting to reshape the party’s leadership structure. Cracks In Ritabrata’s Rebel Camp? However, divisions have now surfaced over the future role of TMC leader and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. While Ritabrata suggested that the TMC supremo could remain as “prodhan poramorshodata" (chief advisor), some rebel legislators have openly objected.
“A leader is a completely different thing, the supreme — what everyone calls a guardian. ‘Prodhan poramorshodata’ means someone who assists from the outside, superficially. If Mamata Banerjee is not kept as the supreme leader, we will have to rethink this whole thing," rebel MLA Gulshan Mullick was quoted as saying by Kolkata-based daily The Telegraph. Mamata Reaches Out To Rebels Another rebel MLA, Sangeeta Roy Basunia, said, “Mamata Banerjee is our supreme leader and will remain so. She cannot be an adviser. She is our leader," PTI reported. At the same time, Mamata Banerjee has launched an effort to regain support from within the rebel ranks. Particular attention is being paid to Muslim MLAs, some of whom are reportedly uneasy about Ritabrata’s perceived closeness to the BJP. Among the 80 TMC legislators elected in 2026, 31 are Muslims, and the Ritabrata Banerjee-led revolt has split this bloc as well.
Several prominent Muslim MLAs, including Sabina Yasmin, Javed Khan and Akhruzzaman, joined the rebel camp and assumed key positions in the new legislative faction. Now, Mamata Banerjee’s camp is reportedly reaching out to these lawmakers in a bid to win them back. The effort is being aided by concerns among some rebels that Ritabrata, often described by critics as a “habitual turncoat", could eventually seek support from the BJP. “Why is he suddenly all-important now? It was a collective effort…" a rebel MLA told The Telegraph, adding: “Is he to be considered a chief ministerial candidate by a credible Opposition in the future? Then we are not part of that future. We did not get rid of Abhishek Banerjee’s high-handedness to replace it with a saffron-backed Ritabrata." According to party sources, Mamata has personally contacted several dissident legislators, seeking reconciliation and urging them to return to the fold.
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