From CPI(M) leader to alleged TMC split architect: Who is Ritabrata Banerjee
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "From CPI(M) leader to alleged TMC split architect: Who is Ritabrata Banerjee")
Expelled TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee Photograph: (ANI)
Ritabrata Banerjee, a former CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP and current MLA from Uluberia Purba, has had a turbulent political career marked by expulsion from both CPI(M) and TMC. A former SFI leader, he rose rapidly in politics before controversies and party disputes altered his trajectory
Expelled Trinamool MLA Ritabrata Banerjee is emerging to be a big name in West Bengal after he attempted to allegedly split the party. He has now been recognised by the Bengal Assembly Speaker as the Leader of the Opposition but he insisted that Mamata Banerjee is his leader. He was recognised after 60 MLAs submitted letters of support endorsing him. While the split of Trinamool Congress looks to be on hold for now, Ritabrata is a known name now and would be famous if he actually succeeds in splitting TMC.
Who is Ritabrata Banerjee?
Ritabrata Banerjee, who won from Uluberia Purba constituency on Trinamool Congress’ ticket by defeating Bharatiya Janata Party’s Rudra Prosad Banerjee with 11,838 in state assembly polls. Ritabrata, an alumnus of Kolkata’s South Point High School and Ashutosh College, came to the limelight as a student leader in the early 2000s. He was believed to be close to the late Sitaram Yechury and was named the All India general secretary of CPI(M)’s student wing SFI. The left party chose him as a Rajya Sabha MP when he was only 34. He was at that post till 2017. In 2017, he was expelled from CPI(M) for anti-party activities as he publically criticised senior party leaders Prakash and Brinda Karat. He also faced criticism for exhibiting a lifestyle considered incompatible with communist ideals, including wearing an Apple smartwatch and using expensive luxury items. He then joined TMC and was sent to Rajya Sabha in 2024 by the party for 15 months. His social media reads, “A proud Bengali & Indian. Incidentally MLA from Uluberia Purba, West Bengal & 2 times Former Member of Indian Parliament.” He was also accused by a research scholar of rape. The MP accused the woman of blackmail and extortion.
His tenure in TMC
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He officially joined the TMC in 2020 but was associated with TMC since 2018. Upon joining, he was elevated to State President of the TMC's trade union wing, the Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC). The party later sent him back to the Rajya Sabha in 2024 before fielding him as an MLA candidate for the Uluberia Purba constituency. He went on to claim that Mamata is the real Left leader.
Ahead of the elections, a video of him exchanging pleasantries with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Delhi’s Banga Bhaban went viral. He later told the media that it was “courtesy” and asked if he should have ignored the CM’s greetings. He said he did not believe in “that kind of politics”.
Without naming Ritabrata, Mamata told the media, “Someone who was earlier with CPI(M) is doing it all. We gave him a ticket, depriving others. My apologies to those who were deprived.”
How did the crisis begin?
The current crisis began on May 6 when newly elected MLAs met in Mamata Banerjee's residence. Soon after the meeting, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay was appointed the leader of the opposition, while Nayana Bandyopadhyay and Ashima Patra would be deputy leaders and Firhad Hakim would take over as chief whip. The party gave an impression that all elected MPs authorised the party leadership to decide the appointments. However, the assembly secretariat did not process the communication, pointing to procedural rules requiring such office-bearers to be elected at a formal meeting of the legislature party. The situation intensified as TMC expelled Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha from the party.
