Saying he has the support of 65 Trinamool MLAs, Ritabrata dares rivals to take the floor test

Expelled TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee addresses the media in Kolkata. File. | Photo credit: ANI

The number of Trinamool Congress MLAs supporting Ritabrat Banerjee as Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly has increased to 65. Mr. Banerjee, who attended the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting convened by President Rathindra Bose on Tuesday, reiterated that he is the leader of the Trinamool Congress party in Trinamool to take part in the Legi Congress test.

“I am saying this because people are making so many statements out there and the media is also showing huge interest in these remarks. So my message to everyone is that if the speaker feels there is a need for a floor test, let there be a floor test. Once the floor test is done, all this endless rhetoric and cross talk will end,” said the Uluberia Purba MLA. Mr. Ritabrata said the number of MLAs supporting him is still growing and has reached 65.

On June 3, two days after being expelled from the Trinamool Congress, Mr. Ritabrata was declared Leader of the Opposition with the support of 58 out of 80 MLAs.

On Tuesday, the Speaker did not invite MLAs believed to be loyal to Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee to the BAC meeting held before the budget session of the Assembly. Representatives of CPI(M), Congress, ISF and AJUP were present at the meeting. Trinamool MLAs like Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay and Kunal Ghosh, who continue to stand by the party president, have raised questions about the lack of invitation.

HC is looking for answers

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday questioned the state government whether the Speaker can suo motu recognize the Leader of the Opposition when two motions are on the table.

While hearing a petition filed by Mr. Sobhandeb against Mr. Ritabrata’s recognition as Leader of the Opposition, Justice Krishna Rao asked, “If a speaker has two motions from the same party, what is his duty? How can he recognize one suo motu?”

The first proposal to elect the Leader of the Opposition came from Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who nominated Mr Sobhandeb for the post, with 70 MLAs supporting him. There were allegations that some of the signatures were forged and the CID is investigating the matter.

“We can also see that one proposal was also there by 70 MLAs, then one came with 58 MLAs. How can a Speaker sitting in his House decide what is right or wrong? Why is there a House? How can you say you will accept the 58 by ignoring the first proposal?” Justice Rao asked.

Additional Solicitor General Bilwadal Bhattacharya responded that 58 MLAs went to the Assembly claiming they were in majority and elected the Leader of the Opposition and party whip. The matter will be heard again on Wednesday.

Published – 16 Jun 2026 22:11 IST