Mamata Banerjee Takes Direct Control of West Bengal TMC Amid Split

Mamata Banerjee announced on July 4 that she will serve as president of the West Bengal unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and named Madan Mitra and Kunal Ghosh as state general secretaries. The move follows the resignation of former state president Chandrima Bhattacharya, who stepped down after a rebel faction seized the party headquarters.

The rebel group, led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, claims the support of dozens of TMC legislators, has formed a 30‑member National Working Committee and is seeking recognition from the Election Commission. It also seeks control of the party’s election symbol, the “Jora Ghas Phool” flower motif. Banerjee labelled the rebels “traitors” and warned that they would have to “kill” her to stop her, insisting that the symbol does not matter if the party retains its grassroots support. She indicated a legal battle over the symbol and warned that the party would continue its fight regardless of the commission’s decision.

Around 20 TMC MPs have joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and expressed support for the National Democratic Alliance, further complicating the internal crisis.