Calcutta High Court Refuses to Stay Rebel LoP Appointment

The Calcutta High Court refused to grant interim relief in a petition challenging the decision by West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose to appoint expelled Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP). The legal challenge was brought by Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, the official nominee backed by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, who argued that the party leadership should determine the LoP rather than a legislative faction.

Justice Krishna Rao allowed the Speaker's decision to remain in force, meaning Banerjee and other dissident office bearers will retain their roles during the budget session ending June 25. During the proceedings, the court questioned the Speaker's procedure for choosing between conflicting proposals without a floor test to prove a majority. The judge also noted a prior court order staying Banerjee's expulsion from the TMC until June 30 and cited disputes regarding the resolution nominating Chattopadhyay, which is currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department for alleged signature mismatches.

Following the ruling, five TMC loyalists met with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to request separate seating in the assembly, stating they would not cooperate with Banerjee. Ritabrata Banerjee maintains that his faction holds the support of a majority of TMC legislators. The court has ordered all parties to exchange affidavits and scheduled the next hearing for July 28.