The annual Martyrs’ Day event on July 21 has become the new flashpoint between the two factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Both the groups – the one led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Ritabrata
Banerjee – are seeking permission to hold a Shahid Diwas programme at Dharmatala on July 21.
WHAT RITABRATA FACTION SAID
The eventis proposed to be held in front of Victoria House, Dharmatala, Kolkata. According to the letter submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, the party requires the venue from 10:00 am on July 19 to facilitate the installation of the stage, microphones, loudspeakers and other infrastructure.
The venue will remain occupied until the stage is dismantled after the conclusion of the programme. The letter requests the necessary police permission for the event and related arrangements.
The application is dated June 27, 2026, and is signed by Arup Roy, Chairperson, All India Trinamool Congress.
WHAT MAMATA SAID
Mamata Banerjee has also written to the commissioner seeking nod for an event at Dharamtala on July 21.
MAMATA FACTION FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST RITABRATA-LED GROUP
The factionhas written a two-page letter, dated June 27, 2026, issued on the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) letterhead and signed by Dola Sen, National Joint Secretary of the party and Rajya Sabha MP, to the Officer-in-Charge, New Town Police Station, under the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.
The complaint is filed under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, alleging forgery of the AITC’s name and election symbol and impersonation of party office-bearers.
The letter names Arup Roy, Ritabrata Banerjee, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Biplab Mitra and others, alleging that they:
- Organised a gathering at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, New Town, on June 22, 2026.
- Used a forged AITC symbol, party name, backdrop and posters.
- Created the impression that an official “Special Session of the All India Trinamool Congress” was being held.
It alleges that the accused circulated notices among AITC leaders and workers while posing as authorised party officials and that the booking of the Novotel venue should be investigated to identify those responsible.
The complaint further alleges that the named individuals were in contact with leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI), and requests that any alleged criminal involvement of those persons also be investigated.
The letterfurther alleges that Ritabrata forged the AITC letterhead and submitted a letter dated June 22, 2026 to the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly while falsely presenting himself as the party’s “General Secretary”. A copy of that letter is enclosed as supporting material.
It also alleges that the group is attempting to collect money in the name of AITC, which, according to the complainant, is fraudulent and should not be attributed to the party.
The complainant requests the police to treat the communication as information under Section 173 of the BNSS, 2023, and take action in accordance with law.
