In a major setback for the Kalighat faction of the Trinamool Congress, the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court declined to interfere with Assembly Speaker Rathindranath Basu’s decision recognizing Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition. Hearing an appeal filed by Kalighat TMC's nominated candidate Shobhandeb Chatterjee, the bench comprising Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta remitted the matter back to a single bench. Consequently, Ritabrata Banerjee will continue to serve as the Leader of the Opposition for the time being.
The dispute stems from a power struggle over the Leader of the Opposition post following the formation of the government, where Speaker Rathindranath Basu endorsed Ritabrata Banerjee based on majority support among legislators. The Kalighat camp subsequently challenged the decision in court, questioning why Ritabrata was recognized despite his expulsion and why initial communications from Mamata Banerjee were bypassed. During the proceedings, the Division Bench explicitly emphasized that the Speaker's appointment remains temporary until final judicial determination.
The High Court has instructed the single bench to dispose of the main case within the next two months to permanently resolve the leadership designation. Until the single bench delivers its final verdict, Ritabrata Banerjee will maintain his position as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. Legal observers suggest that given the high political stakes involved, the legal battle over the opposition leadership could eventually reach the Supreme Court.