On Monday, the Supreme Court bench, chaired by Chief Justice Surya Kant, issued a directive to the West Bengal Assembly speaker to resolve the disqualification petitions of 10 rebel TMC MLAs within a 90‑day period, citing a 2020 Manipur judgment that set the three‑month rule.
The directive follows a plea filed by TMC MLA Sohandeb Chattopadhyay, who argued that the 10 defectors—among them Ritabrata Banerjee—had acted against the party’s interests after TMC’s loss in the May assembly elections.
The court’s order reiterates that any delay beyond the 90‑day window would contravene judicial precedent, underscoring the urgency of the speaker’s decision.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Chattopadhyay, highlighted a pattern of postponements in similar cases, urging the bench to enforce the statutory time frame.
The dispute also entangled the Election Commission, as both factions claim the TMC name and the “twin‑flower‑on‑grass” symbol, adding a layer of procedural complexity.
With the deadline set for Oct 8, the West Bengal speaker faces pressure from both the ruling party’s loyalists and the rebel faction, whose fate will shape the state’s political landscape and potentially influence the next state election.