Kolkata: West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose has convened a crucial hearing on Thursday to consider the disqualification of 10 rebel Trinamool Congress MLAs, including rebel faction leader and expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, who is currently recognized as the Leader of Opposition in the House.
The hearing is scheduled to take place in the Speaker’s room at the Assembly premises at 3 p.m. according to Assembly insiders.
The 10 rebel TMC legislators, including Ritabrata Banerjee, are expected to appear before the Speaker along with their counsel. Veteran TMC legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, representing the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, is also expected to attend the hearing with his legal team.
Supreme Court leaves decision with Bengal Speaker
After the split in the Trinamool Congress, Chattopadhyay approached the Supreme Court seeking the disqualification of 10 rebel MLAs, including Ritabrata Banerjee.
The Supreme Court subsequently disposed of the case and indicated that the final decision on the disqualification petitions rests with the West Bengal Assembly Speaker. The court also observed that the matter should be decided at the earliest. Recent reports said the three-month timeframe for deciding the petitions was set to expire in October.
Speaker Bose was abroad on an official visit when the Supreme Court passed its order. After returning to Kolkata, he was hospitalized earlier this month following a deterioration in his health. After resuming work, he has now convened the hearing on the disqualification petitions.
TMC factions locked in wider party dispute
The disqualification proceedings come amid a broader dispute between the two rival TMC factions over control of the party and its legislative wing.
The Election Commission has also frozen the original party name, “All India Trinamool Congress”, and its traditional electoral symbol, “Grassroots & Flower”, amid the dispute.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has been allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the symbol “Football Player”. The Ritabrata-led faction has been allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the symbol “Envelope”.
The hearing on Thursday is therefore significant not only for the 10 MLAs but also for the ongoing dispute over the TMC’s legislative and organisational control.