Kolkata, 08 October (H.S.) :

West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose has convened a crucial hearing on Thursday to deliberate on the disqualification of ten rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators. Among the MLAs facing the proceedings is the leader of the rebel faction and expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, who currently serves as the official Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the House.

According to sources within the state Assembly, the hearing has been scheduled for 3:00 PM in the Speaker’s chamber within the Assembly premises. All ten rebel TMC legislators, including Ritabrata Banerjee, along with their legal counsel, are expected to appear before the Speaker. On the other side, veteran lawmaker Sovandeb Chattopadhyay and legal representatives will present arguments on behalf of the faction led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.

Following a split within the Trinamool Congress, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, representing the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, had moved the Supreme Court seeking the disqualification of the ten dissident MLAs under the anti-defection law. Disposing of the petition last month, the apex court ruled that the ultimate authority to decide on the disqualification of the legislators rests with the Assembly Speaker. The bench also observed that it was desirable for the West Bengal Assembly Speaker to arrive at a final determination in the matter at the earliest.

Speaker Bose was overseas on an official tour when the Supreme Court delivered its order. Upon his return to Kolkata, he was hospitalised earlier this month following a sudden deterioration in his health. Immediately after recuperating and resuming his official duties, the Speaker initiated formal proceedings by convening this hearing.

Amid the escalating factional feud, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently froze the party's original name, All India Trinamool Congress, as well as its electoral symbol, Grassroots & Flower (Jora Ghas-Phul).

The poll panel subsequently allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress along with the Football Player symbol to the faction led by Mamata Banerjee. Meanwhile, the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee was granted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and allocated the Envelope as its election symbol.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh