Mamata stages protest against BJP, but her bigger battle may be inside TMC

Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee held a protest with her party MPs and MLAs against the BJP’s alleged "bulldozer politics" and the eviction of hawkers from various locations across the state. The protest was also aimed at highlighting the plight of TMC supporters allegedly affected by post-poll violence.

Mamata hit out at the BJP for allegedly using central investigative agencies such as the NIA, ED and CBI, as well as the state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), for political purposes.

"CID was under me. They never worked so effectively. Unfair. Not even the STF (Special Task Force)," said Mamata Banerjee, who held the Home and Health portfolios in addition to serving as Chief Minister for three terms.

Mamata was referring to the CID notice issued to her nephew and the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, whose signature appears at the bottom of the controversial document carrying the signatures of a majority of TMC MLAs in support of Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP). Fourteen of those signatures are alleged to have been forged, with several MLAs claiming they never signed the document.

For the TMC, the bigger challenge is the growing dissent within the party ranks, with several leaders speaking out against alleged mismanagement, including criticism of Abhishek Banerjee. The question now is whether rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has the support of enough MLAs to stake claim to a breakaway faction of the TMC and seek recognition as the Leader of the Opposition.

Sources say Ritabrata has the support of at least 50 MLAs. Both Ritabrata and Sandipan Saha were suspended from the TMC after they complained to the Assembly Speaker, alleging that the signatures had been forged. Their complaint prompted the Speaker to file an FIR, following which the CID launched an investigation.

Meanwhile, Mamata is appealing to party leaders to remain united in the face of what she describes as external attempts, including by the BJP, to weaken and dismantle the TMC.

"I have just one thing to be sad about. Those for whom I have done everything all my life are siding with traitors," Mamata said, in an apparent reference to the two rebel MLAs.

Another suspended TMC leader and former spokesperson claimed that Ritabrata had the support of at least 50 MLAs.

The key question now is whether the rebel leaders will be able to break away from the TMC and form a separate faction while retaining claim to the party's symbol. The situation appears increasingly challenging for Mamata's party, which she founded in 1998. If the claims about support from 50 MLAs prove accurate, the TMC could face further defections in the coming days.