SC Asks West Bengal Speaker to Decide Disqualification Pleas Against 10 Rebel TMC MLAs Within Fixed Timeframe

Supreme Court Sets Focus on Time-Bound Decision

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the West Bengal Assembly Speaker to adhere to the timeframe applicable to the disqualification petitions against 10 rebel Trinamool Congress MLAs.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said it had reason to believe that Speaker Rathindra Nath Bose was aware of the court's earlier directions and would endeavour to decide the matter within the prescribed period.

Three-Month Timeline Comes From 2020 Judgment

The Supreme Court referred to its 2020 judgment in Keisham Meghachandra Singh v Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly.

In that case, the court held that when a Speaker decides disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law, the Speaker acts in a tribunal-like capacity and such petitions should ordinarily be decided within a reasonable period. The court had indicated a three-month period for deciding the pending petitions in that matter.

Who Filed the Petition?

The latest proceedings followed a petition by senior TMC MLA Sohandeb Chattopadhyay, who had sought action against 10 MLAs aligned with the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.

Chattopadhyay approached the Supreme Court seeking an early decision on the disqualification petitions. The Supreme Court disposed of his plea after reiterating the applicable timeframe.

10 Rebel TMC MLAs Facing Proceedings

The 10 MLAs facing the disqualification proceedings are:

• Ritabrata Banerjee

• Arup Roy

• Firhad Hakim

• Sandipan Saha

• Akhruzzaman Ansari

• Shiuli Saha

• Sabina Yasmin

• Biplab Mitra

• Javed Khan

• Rathin Ghosh

The Assembly Secretariat had earlier issued notices to the legislators seeking their responses to the disqualification petitions.

When Does the Deadline Expire?

Reports differ slightly on the exact date cited for the end of the three-month period, with the Supreme Court-related reports placing it in early October. The New Indian Express reported October 10, while Hindustan Times reported October 8.

The central point from the court's observation is that the Speaker is expected to act within the three-month timeframe established by the Supreme Court.

TMC's Internal Power Struggle

The disqualification proceedings are part of a larger internal dispute within the Trinamool Congress following the party's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

A group of MLAs rallied behind Ritabrata Banerjee, who was subsequently recognised by the Speaker as the Leader of the Opposition. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction had nominated senior MLA Sohandeb Chattopadhyay for the position and challenged the Speaker's decision before the Calcutta High Court.

Speaker's Decision on Leader of Opposition Also Contested

The recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition has become another point of legal and political dispute.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction challenged the Speaker's decision before the Calcutta High Court. The High Court did not grant interim relief against Ritabrata's appointment, leaving the broader dispute to continue.

Disqualification Petitions and Anti-Defection Law

The petitions seek action under the constitutional anti-defection framework. The proceedings are intended to determine whether the conduct of the legislators attracts disqualification under the applicable provisions.

The allegations against the 10 MLAs remain subject to the Speaker's proceedings and have not been finally determined by the Supreme Court.

Parallel Dispute Involving 20 Rebel TMC MPs

The developments in the West Bengal Assembly are also taking place alongside a separate dispute involving 20 rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs.

TMC has sought their disqualification before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and the Supreme Court has separately pressed for expeditious consideration of those petitions, also referring to the principle of timely decisions in defection matters.

TMC Name and Symbol Dispute

The internal conflict has also extended to the Election Commission, with rival factions contesting the TMC's organisational identity, including its name and election symbol.

The disputes before the Assembly, courts and Election Commission have therefore developed in parallel as rival groups seek recognition and control following the 2026 state election.

What Happens Next?

The West Bengal Speaker is expected to proceed with the disqualification petitions within the timeframe highlighted by the Supreme Court.

The Speaker's eventual decision could have implications for the status of the 10 legislators and the ongoing political contest between the rival TMC factions. The Supreme Court's latest observation itself does not decide whether any of the MLAs should be disqualified.

Key Takeaways

• The Supreme Court asked the West Bengal Speaker to adhere to the applicable timeframe for deciding the disqualification petitions.

• The proceedings concern 10 rebel TMC MLAs.

• The petitions were filed by TMC MLA Sohandeb Chattopadhyay.

• The Supreme Court referred to its 2020 Keisham Meghachandra Singh judgment on timely decisions in defection cases.

• The three-month timeframe expires in early October, with reports citing October 8 or October 10 depending on the calculation/source.

• The case is linked to the wider TMC factional dispute following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.

• Ritabrata Banerjee's recognition as Leader of the Opposition is separately being contested.

• A separate disqualification dispute involving 20 rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs is also before the Lok Sabha Speaker.

• The Supreme Court's latest observation does not determine whether the 10 MLAs will ultimately be disqualified