NEW DELHI: The internal power struggle within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified as party MP Dola Sen filed police complaints against the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction, accusing them of serious allegations including forgery, criminal impersonation, and the use of false documents representing the All India Trinamool Congress.

Sen lodged these complaints at the Pragati Maidan and New Town police stations. She claims that the rebel faction has illicitly utilized the party’s name, election symbol, and branding while hosting meetings with former councillors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).

In her complaint, Sen urged law enforcement to register a First Information Report (FIR) immediately concerning these cognizable offences, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other applicable laws. She called for a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation, emphasizing the need to preserve electronic and other forms of evidence.

The complaints detail accusations of criminal impersonation, forgery, impersonation fraud, and the distribution of false documents and electronic communications under the All India Trinamool Congress banner. They assert that the breakaway group held unauthorized meetings while misusing the party’s official symbol and identity.

This escalation coincided with a second meeting held by the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction within a week, attended by 47 former TMC councillors in a private banquet hall located in Kolkata’s Topsia area. They gathered to strategize for upcoming civic polls and to discuss the revitalization of the party in light of recent electoral defeats.

Similar to a previous meeting on June 22 in New Town, banners at Saturday’s gathering featured the TMC’s grass-and-twin-flower symbol and the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress,’ but notably excluded photographs of the party’s prominent leader, Mamata Banerjee.

In defense of the dissident faction, expelled TMC MLA Sandipan Saha, who serves as the deputy leader of the opposition in the assembly, asserted their legitimacy. “We are the real Trinamool Congress. We have the numbers and are the principal opposition in the state assembly. There can be no question about our legitimacy. We have formed our national working committee and will soon announce our political programmes,” Saha stated.

Ritabrata Banerjee, also expelled from TMC, was present at the meeting, which highlights the rebel faction’s push for organizational strength. Sources indicate that discussions focused on strategies for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections, anticipated later this year, following the completion of ward delimitation. The leaders also considered providing legal assistance to councillors and workers who have faced arrests since the BJP assumed power in West Bengal.

In response to these developments, senior TMC leader and MP Mahua Moitra downplayed the challenge posed by the rebels. She asserted that the party’s electoral backing firmly rests with Mamata Banerjee.

“The rebel MLAs are more engaged in legal and organizational disputes than in political battles. Mamata Banerjee personally created the TMC symbol, and the party’s electoral support is rooted in her leadership rather than individual personalities. The votes garnered by the party belong to Mamata Banerjee’s guidance; any symbol supported by her will receive public backing,” Moitra remarked.

She emphasized that the mandate of over **2.6 crore** voters supporting Mamata Banerjee remains solid despite recent defections and that the exit of a limited number of elected officials will not impact the party’s public mandate.

This latest confrontation follows the dissolution of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation board by the West Bengal government after former mayor Firhad Hakim’s resignation, subsequently conferring administrative authority to an appointed administrator ahead of the civic elections.