A Trinamool Congress rebel took over for Mamata Banerjee on Saturday. He told reporters Banerjee still heads that party. He said he backed the larger group inside that party. The TMC is reshaping its structure and cutting back on outside consultants after a recent crisis.
Party insiders say the split is getting bigger, with several leaders openly arguing about who should lead and what the plan is. The fight has sparked worries that the ruling West Bengal party could slip before the next state contests. The rebel insisted his side has enough members to run the party, but he will keep working under Banerjee’s overall direction.