The Calcutta High Court refused to grant an interim stay on the appointment of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition [1].
This ruling represents a significant legal hurdle for the camp of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as it allows a dissident faction to maintain a formal leadership role within the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The decision preserves the authority of the Assembly Speaker's original appointment while the legal challenge continues.
The dispute centers on a power struggle within the TMC. A group of 58 rebel MLAs backed Banerjee for the position of Leader of the Opposition [2]. This internal rift has created a visible divide between the party leadership and the dissident members.
Sovan Dev Chatterjee, representing the Mamata Banerjee camp, challenged the Speaker's decision in court. However, the single bench of the High Court declined to issue an immediate stay on the appointment [1]. The court said that it requires affidavits from both parties before issuing a final order on the matter [1].
The legal battle now moves toward a detailed review of the evidence and arguments from both the rebel faction and the party loyalists. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 28, 2026 [1].
Until that date, Banerjee remains in his role. The court's refusal to intervene at this stage ensures that the legislative status quo remains intact for the next several weeks, a result that favors the rebel group over the party establishment.
“The Calcutta High Court refused to grant an interim stay on the appointment of rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Ritabrata Banerjee”
The court's refusal to grant an interim stay provides a temporary tactical victory for the TMC dissidents. By maintaining the Leader of the Opposition role, the rebel faction secures a recognized platform and institutional power within the assembly, complicating Mamata Banerjee's efforts to consolidate party discipline and marginalize the internal opposition.
