"We are real Trinamool", says Ritabrata Banerjee; cites court ruling against Kalighat faction

The ongoing battle for control within the fractured Trinamool Congress (TMC) intensified on Sunday after Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee claimed a major legal victory over the rival Kalighat faction. Addressing a press conference, Banerjee asserted that an Alipore court has formally recognized the National Working Committee formed by his rebel camp on June 22 as the only legally valid and legitimate authority of the party. The court's directive, which stemmed from a civil lawsuit filed by grassroots party workers, effectively restrains any other parallel faction from executing administrative orders under the banner of the All India Trinamool Congress.

Citing the specific judicial determinations, Banerjee stated that the working committee headed by newly elected party Chairman Arup Roy possesses the exclusive constitutional right to manage organizational operations. According to the court order, the rival Kalighat camp—led by party founder Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee—is prohibited from issuing official directives, executing new organizational appointments, or representing the party before statutory and constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission. Furthermore, the judicial mandate cuts off the rival faction's access to the political outfit’s official records, bank accounts, accumulated funds, and physical real estate assets across the state.

Following the favorable verdict, the rebel camp has finalized blueprints to physically reclaim the centralized Trinamool Congress headquarters situated in Kolkata's Metropolitan area early this week. Banerjee warned that any forcible intrusion or attempt to block their administration at the headquarters or other regional party offices by outsiders would be treated as an illegal act subject to strict criminal prosecution. Amidst these shifting loyalties, the Leader of the Opposition also dismissed rampant political speculation regarding former Panihati MLA Nirmal Ghosh defecting to their faction, clarifying that no communication channels had been opened with him. The rebel group is currently focusing its logistics on organizing a massive alternative Martyrs' Day commemoration near the Gandhi Statue on July 20.