'Real' TMC row: Mamata Banerjee cries foul over EC's 'stoic silence', opposes more time for rebel camp
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee has written to the Election Commission (EC), urging it not to grant any further time to the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee in the dispute over the "real" TMC.In her letter, Mamata alleged that the poll body's "stoic silence" after the extended deadline had effectively given the rebel camp additional "elbow-room".The intra-party tussle escalated after the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction approached the EC on July 2, claiming to be the "real" TMC.
The group said it had informed the commission of organisational changes adopted during a special session held on June 22 and sought recognition of those changes.Following the rival claim, the EC asked both the Mamata Banerjee-led camp and the Ritabrata faction to submit their responses by 5. 30pm on July 6.
While Mamata's camp filed its reply within the deadline, the rebel faction was granted an extension until 5. 30pm on July 10.Mamata questions delay In her July 12 letter to the EC, Mamata said no communication had been received from the Ritabrata-led faction even two days after the extended deadline."Though it is well past 10th July 2026, and it has been about 2 days therefrom, there has not been any communication made to the undersigned from the end of Shri Ritabrata Banerjee concerning such reply," news agency PTI quoted the letter saying."The EC had instructed both sides to keep each other informed about their submissions," the news agency reported citing sources."Hence, it can be inferred, in the absence or the failure to communicate to the undersigned, despite the precondition imposed by the Election Commission of India, that the Election Commission has also not been provided with the said reply within the extended time period," she said in the letter.'Leeway' not extended to MamataThe TMC chief alleged that while the rival faction had been given additional time, her camp was not afforded similar flexibility.She said the "leeway" granted to Ritabrata Banerjee to file a delayed response had not been extended to her side, which was given "virtually two half-working days to reply to the communication dated 2nd July 2026."Mamata further accused the poll panel of remaining silent even after the expiry of the extended deadline."Even after the delay of another 48hrs from 10th July, your good office has maintained a stoic silence, giving further elbow-room to Shri Banerjee, demonstrating your inclination towards the mala fide cause of Shri Ritabrata Banerjee," she said.Mamata-led TMC rejected the rival camp's claim to be the "real" party.The party maintained that its organisational committees remain valid until 2027 under the party constitution, noting that the last organisational elections were conducted in 2022.
It also argued that the rebel faction's claim that the committees ceased to exist in 2025 was both factually and legally untenable.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.