Amid rebellion, TMC send fresh list to EC, asserting Mamata Banerjee remains the party leader (Picture credit: ANI file photo)
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress under Mamata Banerjee has reconstituted its national working committee amid a major rebellion within the party at both the assembly and Parliament levels.The move came as a strong assertion of Mamata Banerjee’s supremacy within the party and an attempt to counter claims by rebels seeking to project themselves as the “real” TMC. The Didi-led party has also submitted the list of its newly appointed office-bearers to the Election Commission.The internal revolt emerged after the BJP inflicted a major electoral defeat on the TMC, which had governed West Bengal for 15 years. In response, Mamata Banerjee moved swiftly to reorganise the party structure and reinforce her control over the organisation she founded nearly three decades ago.Under the new structure, Mamata Banerjee continues as the party chairperson, while former Rajya Sabha MP Subrata Bakshi has been appointed vice-chairperson. Her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, retains his position as national general secretary.Senior leaders Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen have been named joint secretaries, while Mamata loyalists Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra have been included as members of the national working committee.The reshuffle comes a day after a rebel faction led by Bengal’s leader of opposition Ritabrata Banerjee appointed senior leader Arup Roy as chairperson of what it called the “real” TMC.However, the dissident camp stopped short of completely sidelining Mamata Banerjee. Ritabrata Banerjee said the veteran leader would be welcome to join the faction as its “chief adviser”.”Members unanimously elected Arup Roy as chairperson. If Mamata Banerjee wants to be our chief adviser, she is most welcome,” Ritabrata Banerjee told reporters after the meeting.”We are the real TMC and will inform the Election Commission about the proceedings of today’s special session,” he added.The dissident group appointed Arup Roy during a special session held at a five-star hotel in Kolkata’s New Town area.
