Ritabrata Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata: In a significant development,both the factions of Trinamool Congress(TMC)--One led by Ritabrata Banerjee and another by Mamata Banerjee herself-- today presented their documents before the Election commission in support of their claim to control party symbols, funds and party offices.
The submissions and cross submissions have put the future of the previous ruling parties in jeopardy as both factions claim to be real Trinamool Congress and matter now rests largely with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who will examine the evidence and determine which faction holds legitimate control over the party.
The faction led by Mamata Banerjee, referred to by rivals as the "kalighat Trinamool" and the group led by Ritabrata Banerjee, cliaming to be the "real" Trinamool Congress, as both presented their cases before the Election Commission.
Following the defeat of TMC in the recent assmebly election, the parliamentary and legislative wings of the party have allegedly seen large-scale defections. 21 Lok Sabha members under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar have moved away from Khalighat Mamata faction.In the state legsilative wing also,65 MLAS led by Ritabrata Banerjee moved away from Mamata Trinamool.
Sources said senior TMC leaders of Mamata faction are already in delhi, while the Ritabrata faction has also completed last minute preparations. Mamata faction is said to be worried over the possibility of losing the party's iconic grass-flowers symbol.
Meanwhile, the Ritabrata faction has maintained that it will accept the Election Commisison's decision based on documentary evidence.
