The internal conflict in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) took a dramatic turn on Friday after a heavy deployment of CRPF personnel and Kolkata Police outside the party's Metropolitan state headquarters in Kolkata. The security arrangement came after a rebel faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee claimed control of the party office.

The latest development came just a day after the dissident group approached the Election Commission in New Delhi. The faction claimed ownership of the 28-year-old party's name, funds, and its twin-flower election symbol. The dispute has now moved beyond the state and reached the Election Commission, where both sides are preparing to defend their claims.

Ritabrata Banerjee entered the party office on EM Bypass along with Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, and Akhruzzaman. The office has served as the party's main headquarters since 2022. The rebel group entered the building to establish its authority. Members of the faction replaced the existing signage and installed a new banner that named senior MLA Arup Roy as the party's chairman instead of Mamata Banerjee.

The rebel camp claimed that the lease of the building had expired. It also stated that its working committee had signed a fresh lease agreement. Defending the takeover, MLA Akhruzzaman said, "This is our party office and it will remain our party office. The key to the main gate will be with us." He also said that the faction continues to respect the photographs of Mamata Banerjee displayed inside the office. At the same time, the group rejected the leadership of Abhishek Banerjee.

The occupation of the headquarters immediately triggered a strong reaction from leaders loyal to Mamata Banerjee. Senior party members rushed to the spot and filed emergency complaints with the police. Leaders from the loyalist camp strongly criticised the actions of the rebel faction and accused them of carrying out an illegal takeover.

Veteran TMC leader Madan Mitra blamed the Union Government for the situation. He alleged that the CRPF reached the party office within minutes to support the rebel group. He said, "At least one lakh of our party offices in Bengal are currently shut down, and our members are facing oppression, hooliganism, and police attacks. No one from the BJP went to protect them." Mitra also claimed that the rebel faction is working as the BJP's "B-team."

Prominent advocate and TMC leader Baiswanor Chattopadhyay also condemned the incident. He said the party would not accept the forceful occupation of its office. He stated, "Expelled members forcibly entered the party office to carry out illegal activities. This office bears the symbol and the face of Mamata Banerjee. The All India Trinamool Congress is identified by her face alone."

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also launched a sharp attack on the rebel leadership. He described Ritabrata Banerjee as a "criminal trespasser" and warned the dissident group of legal and political action. He said, "Just because a bunch of goons formed a party, are we supposed to accept it? You started this game, but we will finish it. We will demonstrate this in two arenas: in the court of law and in the court of the people."

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police announced that they will examine the ownership records and lease documents of the building before allowing normal political activities to continue at the headquarters. The police will verify which faction has the legal right to use the office.

The dispute will now shift to the Election Commission in New Delhi. The Commission has directed both the Mamata Banerjee camp and the Ritabrata Banerjee faction to submit their detailed organisational claims and counterclaims by 5:30 PM on July 6. The Commission's decision will play a key role in determining the future control of the party's name, symbol, and organisational structure.