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Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien on Thursday accused the Election Commission (EC) of bias over the handling of the ongoing dispute between the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The TMC MP has claimed that the rebel faction has not furnished a reply despite the poll body granting repeated extensions, while the Mamata Banerjee-led camp has adhered to the prescribed deadline.
The remarks come amid an intensifying organisational battle within the TMC following the party's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and competing claims over the party's organisational structure before the Election Commission. Speaking to the media persons, O'Brien said the TMC had submitted its response to the Election Commission within the stipulated time. "We responded to the Election Commission within the laid-down deadline of just three days. On the other hand, the EC has already granted two unprecedented extensions to the new Traitor Party for 23 days, and yet they have not been able to furnish a reply. EC should not brazenly work like a branch office of the BJP," O'Brien alleged. The Election Commission had sought responses from both the Mamata Banerjee-led faction and the rebel group led by Ritabrata Banerjee after conflicting claims were made regarding the party's authorised organisational structure and signatories. Earlier this week, senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee said the party had filed a detailed reply before the Election Commission, asserting that the tenure of the AITC's National Working Committee remains valid until 2027 under the party's constitution. Meanwhile, the political crisis within the TMC has deepened with several senior leaders joining the rebel faction. Former minister and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra recently resigned from the Mamata Banerjee-led camp, alleging that the party leadership was prioritising General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee over strengthening the organisation. Responding to the rebellion, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee asserted that attempts to weaken the party would not deter her and said she was prepared to rebuild the organisation if necessary. The rival faction, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, has projected itself as a collective leadership and announced a separate rally on July 21, the same day the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC will observe its annual 'Shaheed Diwas' programme. (ANI)
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