Rebel TMC faction seizes Kolkata HQ amid leadership battle

The battle for control of the TMC escalated dramatically on Friday when the rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee took charge of the party’s operational headquarters ‘Trinamool Bhawan’ in Kolkata, changed the locks, put up fresh posters and declared it would henceforth operate from the premises. Accompanied by senior rebel leaders Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha and party treasurer Akhruzzaman, Ritabrata arrived at the office on the EM Bypass and held a meeting inside the premises, asserting that his camp represented the “real” TMC. The office at Metropolitan locality has served as the party’s operational headquarters since 2022 after the TMC shifted there during the reconstruction of its original headquarters. Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence, however, serves as the central office of the party.

HUGE! Rebel TMC MLAs have taken CONTROL of the party office in Kolkata.

The rebel camp, comprising Ritabrata Banerjee, Sandeepan Saha, Firhad Hakim, and others, has OCCUPIED the office after the building owner asked the Mamata Banerjee camp to j pic.twitter.com/KcrQjcA0ex

— Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaaala) July 3, 2026

The move came barely 24 hours after the dissident camp appeared before the full bench of the Election Commission in New Delhi to stake its claim over the party’s name, symbol and organisational structure, signalling an effort to translate its legislative strength into organisational control.As part of the takeover, fresh locks were placed on the gates and new posters carrying the faction’s leadership structure were put up outside the building. The new posters do not feature former chief minister Mamata Banerjee and instead identify senior MLA Arup Roy as the party’s chairperson, reflecting the leadership arrangement announced by the dissidents at their special session last month.
Senior leader Kunal Ghosh reached the office after learning of the developments, but was unable to enter as the gates had been locked. Police from Pragati Maidan police station also reached the spot, while central forces were deployed around the premises to prevent any confrontation.Describing the episode as “unfortunate”, Ghosh accused the dissidents of attempting to create confusion within the party. The Mamata Banerjee faction also lodged a police complaint over alleged forceful occupation of the party office. The Mamata camp alleged that the takeover had been carried out with the tacit support of the state administration and police, a charge rejected by the dissidents.

VIDEO | "This is totally wrong as they are attempting to forcibly occupy, will submit a letter to ECI," says TMC MP Saugata Roy on LoP Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction taking over party office in Kolkata.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/QYVNU1LbJ9

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2026

The building is owned by businessman Manotosh Saha. His firm, Modern Decorating, had for years been associated with major TMC programmes and was responsible for constructing stages for several party events, including the annual July 21 rally in Kolkata. According to sources in the dissident camp, Friday’s takeover followed consultations with the owner. The move came after 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee’s claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition, rejecting the leadership’s nominee. The rebel camp now claims the support of around 65 legislators.