The most politically significant aspect of the submission is the support of 32 MLAs. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Trinamool Congress won 80 seats. Ritabrata’s faction subsequently claimed the backing of 58 MLAs, later raising the figure to between 62 and 65.
Kalyan Banerjee’s announcement, therefore, raises questions about the rival camp’s actual strength. Asked whether some MLAs who had previously supported Ritabrata had now signed affidavits backing Mamata, Kalyan replied, “Yes. They haven’t signed for the other side; they have signed for us.”
He further alleged that most of the rival faction’s affidavits were not genuine. “Since our affidavits are genuine, we have the guts to send the copies to the Ritabrata camp. But most of their affidavits are forged and forced by the BJP and the police to sign. Hence, they will not be able to make them public,” he alleged.
Ritabrata’s camp, meanwhile, has rejected suggestions that its support is declining. Its leader, Shantanu Sen, maintained that between 62 and 64 MLAs remained with the faction.
The Mamata faction has also submitted affidavits from eight Lok Sabha MPs and nine Rajya Sabha MPs. Kalyan said none of the MPs who had joined the newly formed NCPI had signed affidavits supporting the rival faction.
Of the Trinamool Congress’s 14 founding members, seven have died. Kalyan said six of the seven surviving founders had signed affidavits backing Mamata Banerjee. Members of the national working committee have also extended their support.
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