Calcutta High Court refuses to stay speaker’s recognition of Rebel TMC MLA as Leader of Opposition

The Calcutta High Court has refused to grant interim relief in a plea challenging the West Bengal Assembly Speaker’s decision to recognise rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly.

The court declined to stay the Speaker’s order, effectively allowing the recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee as LoP to remain in force for the time being. The matter pertains to an ongoing political dispute within the TMC over the appointment of the Opposition leader in the Assembly.

The petition was filed by the TMC faction opposing the Speaker’s decision, arguing that the appointment of Ritabrata Banerjee—who is seen as part of a rebel group—was not in line with the party’s official nomination. The party had backed another candidate for the post of LoP.

The High Court had earlier questioned key legal aspects of the Speaker’s decision, including whether a rebel MLA could be recognised as LoP without the consent of the political party’s leadership. However, on Thursday, it declined to intervene at this stage.

The court’s refusal to stay the recognition means Ritabrata Banerjee will continue in the role until further hearings. The case is part of a broader internal crisis within the TMC, marked by factional tensions and competing claims over legislative leadership in West Bengal.