In a major political development in West Bengal, Ritabrata Banerjee has been appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The appointment follows the Assembly Speaker’s reported recognition of a rebel group of Trinamool Congress legislators as a separate legislative party.
Ritibrata, a former CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP who later joined the Trinamool Congress, secured the backing of nearly sixty MLAs – enough to cross the two-thirds mark required under the anti-defection law. The move has triggered a major split within the Trinamool Congress.
Mamata Banerjee’s faction had earlier nominated Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition. Speaking to reporters after meeting the Speaker, Ritabrata Bandopadhyay claimed that the dissident legislators now constitute the “real and main opposition” in the House.
He said his group will act as a constructive opposition, supporting the government when needed but standing firm against policies they oppose. The development comes amid an intense political crisis within the Trinamool Congress, which has been facing internal dissension following the recent Assembly elections. The party had earlier expelled MLA Ritabrata Bandopadhyay and Sandipon Saha over alleged anti-party activities linked to a controversy surrounding signatures submitted for the appointment of the opposition leadership.
Political observers are calling this one of the most significant challenges to Mamata Banerjee’s leadership since she came to power, drawing comparisons to the Shiv Sena split in Maharashtra. Legal battles and further defections are expected in the days ahead.
