Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: They signed on just yesterday, yet today they have been asked to compile a list and instructed to create a WhatsApp group; consequently, a group of MLAs elected on Trinamool tickets—led by Ritabrata—rushed to the police. Ritabrata Banerjee, a leader of the Trinamool's 'New Bloc' (Naba Block), met with the State Director General of Police (DGP). He was accompanied by several MLAs, including Siuli Saha, Sabina Yasmin, Javed Khan, and Sandipan Saha. They lodged a complaint with the DGP regarding attacks on party workers across various districts and localities. The MLAs have been asked to compile a list detailing which party workers have been rendered homeless or subjected to atrocities, and where these incidents occurred. This matter was discussed during a meeting of the Trinamool (Ritabrata faction) legislative party on Thursday. Additionally, reports suggest that during the meeting, a decision was reached to create a dedicated WhatsApp group for this faction of the party.
Ritabrata is scheduled to visit Sandipan's residence at 11:00 AM on Friday. On Thursday, a protest led by Priyanka Tibrewal took place right in front of Sandipan's house. Notably, just the previous Wednesday, he had been heckled with chants of "Chor! Chor!" (Thief! Thief!). On Thursday morning, protesters gathered directly outside Sandipan's home, continuing their demonstration and chanting slogans over loudspeakers. They leveled allegations of collecting "cut money" (illegal commissions) against Sandipan and his father—Swarnakamal, the long-serving former MLA of Entally. It is understood that they intend to bring this specific issue to the attention of the police authorities.
It is for this very reason that Ritabrata—the Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly—will visit Sandipan on Friday to stand in solidarity with him. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has convened a meeting at Kalighat, also scheduled for Friday. She intends to summon the MLAs to attend this gathering. Consequently, phone calls have been placed to various MLAs. However, the Ritabrata camp is closely watching to see how many of these MLAs actually choose to attend the meeting at Kalighat. Amidst these developments, Trinamool MLA Mosharraf Hossain has claimed that several MLAs are already attempting to establish contact with Mamata Banerjee. This claim has sparked a fresh wave of parallel political maneuvering within the party.