The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to grant interim relief in a petition challenging the appointment of rebel Trinamool Congress MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly.
Justice Krishna Rao, hearing a petition filed by senior Trinamool leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, refused to stay Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose’s decision recognising Ritabrata Banerjee as the LoP. However, the court directed all parties to file affidavits as it examines the broader legal question surrounding the Speaker’s powers in making the appointment.
Delivering the order, the court observed, "No prayer for interim relief is made out, the balance of convenience is not in favour of the petitioner." The bench further stated that it did not find a prima facie case warranting immediate intervention.
"This court did not find any prima facie case for grant of interim order. The interim order is refused," Justice Rao said while disposing of the interim plea.
The court directed the respondents to submit their affidavits within three weeks and scheduled the next hearing in the matter for July 28.
The order assumes significance as it came on the opening day of the West Bengal Assembly's Budget Session, which commenced with an address by Governor R. N. Ravi. Legislators backing Ritabrata Banerjee described the court's decision as a "moral victory" for their camp.
The dispute stems from a split within the Trinamool Congress legislative ranks following the Assembly elections. While the party leadership, through a letter sent by Trinamool General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, nominated Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay for the post of Leader of Opposition, a group of MLAs led by Ritabrata Banerjee alleged that their signatures had been forged in the nomination process.
Following the controversy, Ritabrata Banerjee and fellow MLA Sandipan Saha were expelled from the party after formally raising objections.
Subsequently, on June 3, Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose recognised Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, citing the support of 58 legislators. Ritabrata Banerjee has since claimed that the number of MLAs backing him has risen to 65.
The political row has also triggered a criminal investigation. The West Bengal CID is currently probing allegations of signature forgery linked to the LoP nomination process. As part of the investigation, Abhishek Banerjee has already been questioned by investigators.
With the High Court seeking affidavits from all stakeholders, the focus is now expected to shift to the constitutional and procedural aspects of the Speaker's decision. The matter is likely to have significant implications for the balance of power within the Opposition ranks in the Assembly and the ongoing political realignment in West Bengal.
