Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee camp and the rival Ritabrata Banerjee faction submitted separate national working committee (NWC) lists to the Election Commission (EC) on Monday, each seeking to establish its claim over the party and its election symbol.
Mamata Banerjee wrote to the EC detailing the party’s organisational structure “as on June 20, 2026”, placing on record what her camp described as the official hierarchy. The submission identifies Mamata Banerjee as chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress, with Subrata Bakshi as vice-president and Abhishek Banerjee as national general secretary and Lok Sabha leader. Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, Dola Sen and treasurer Subhasish Chakraborty were also listed as members of the NWC.
The rival faction, meanwhile, submitted its own NWC list naming four-time Howrah MLA Arup Ray as chairperson in place of Mamata Banerjee. The group argues that under Article 20 of the party constitution, an NWC must be constituted at least once every three years. According to the faction, the last committee was formed on Feb 12, 2022, and its tenure expired on Feb 11, 2025.
“The EC website has the NWC list submitted in 2024. Also, the Trinamool constitution — also uploaded on the EC website — clearly spells out the role and function of the chairperson, and that she can never be replaced,” a senior MP said.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra said, “This is what is called the ‘Theatre of the Absurd.’ Under our constitutional framework, it is Mamata Banerjee’s party and her symbol; every MLA and MP was elected using her name and symbol... I could say today, ‘I am the Queen of England.’ Mamata Banerjee is the Trinamool Congress since she is the chairperson.”
Ritabrata Banerjee, however, remained defiant, saying his faction had already informed the EC in Delhi and met the Bengal CEO to complete the formal process.
Trinamool MP Saugata Roy hit back. “It is a circus. Mamata Banerjee founded the Trinamool herself and transformed it from an opposition party into the ruling party of the state. So, who could oust her?” he told reporters.
Sources said Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee will increase direct engagement with workers, and the Kalighat office, which also serves as Mamata Banerjee’s residence, will remain open to the public daily except Sundays.
The party is also planning a new public interaction point at Trinamool Bhawan and intends to reduce its reliance on political consultancy firm I-PAC. “A party has to be run by an organisation,” a source said, adding that the focus would now shift back to strengthening the party’s own organisational machinery.