Trinamool Rift Deepens as Signature Forgery Row Rocks West Bengal Politics
Fresh political turmoil has erupted within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after allegations of forged signatures on a letter endorsing a key party leader triggered a major controversy in West Bengal. The developments have exposed growing cracks within the party following its disappointing electoral performance.
The controversy centers around a letter supporting Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the signatures of two Trinamool MLAs were forged on the document without their consent.
According to Adhikari, the two MLAs—Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha—had formally complained that their signatures were used without authorization.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari claimed, “Trinamool’s corruption did not just target the people of Bengal but also its own MLAs. The complaint regarding forged signatures was made by Trinamool legislators themselves. We had no role in this matter.”
Trinamool Expels Two MLAs
In a dramatic turn of events, the Trinamool Congress expelled both Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha from the party, citing alleged anti-party activities.
A communication issued by party vice-president Chandrima Bhattacharya stated that the two legislators repeatedly failed to attend party meetings and were involved in activities detrimental to the party’s interests.
The letter further alleged that both MLAs had made statements that harmed the party’s image and organizational interests. Following an internal review, the party leadership decided to terminate their primary membership with immediate effect.
CID Investigation Underway
The signature forgery allegations are currently being investigated by the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Several Trinamool leaders have reportedly received notices in connection with the case.
The investigation has gained further attention after reports emerged that senior Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee was summoned for questioning. However, sources indicate that he may not appear before investigators immediately.
Expelled MLA Targets Abhishek Banerjee
Expelled MLA Sandipan Saha has publicly questioned the handling of the MLA endorsement list and suggested that responsibility lies with the party leadership.
According to Saha, the list containing the signatures of MLAs was approved and signed by Abhishek Banerjee in his capacity as the party’s General Secretary.
He alleged that several inaccuracies existed in the document and argued that accountability should rest with those responsible for preparing and validating the list.
Internal Discontent Surfaces
The controversy comes at a challenging time for the Trinamool Congress, which has been facing increasing internal dissatisfaction since its recent electoral setback.
Several leaders have reportedly expressed concerns over the party’s functioning and decision-making processes. Political observers point to growing unrest within the organization, including criticism from senior leaders and former office-bearers.
The latest dispute has intensified speculation about factional divisions within the party and raised fresh questions about its internal management and leadership structure.
Political Significance
With the CID probe underway and allegations continuing to emerge, the signature forgery controversy has become one of the most significant political developments in West Bengal. The outcome of the investigation could have wider implications for both the Trinamool Congress and the state’s political landscape in the coming months.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available reports, statements made by political leaders, and ongoing investigations. The allegations mentioned are subject to official verification and legal scrutiny. bharatiyanews.net does not independently verify all claims and encourages readers to refer to official statements and investigation findings for confirmed information.
