Claim
The Speaker of the West Bengal assembly has granted recognition to the TMC rebel faction.
“बंगाल में स्पीकर ने टीएमसी के बागी गुट को मान्यता दे दी है।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
Multiple mainstream Indian outlets confirm that on 3 June 2026 West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose accepted the rebel TMC MLAs' letter and appointed their leader Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, effectively recognising the rebel faction over Mamata Banerjee's official nominee. This recognition was in effect and being litigated in the Calcutta High Court as of the 2 July 2026 broadcast, so the anchor's statement matches the documented events.
Evidence
- https://www.aajtak.in/west-bengal/story/ritobroto-banerjee-tmc-leader-of-opposition-mamata-banerjee-west-bengal-assembly-ntcppl-rpti-2569560-2026-06-03 AajTak (03 Jun 2026): Speaker Rathindra Bose recognised the rebel faction and declared its leader Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, headline explicitly states Speaker treated the rebel group as the real party. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.indiatvnews.com/west-bengal/news-tmc-rebellion-news-live-mamata-party-face-crisis-as-rebel-faction-claims-support-of-59-mlas-2026-06-03-1043450 India TV (03 Jun 2026): Speaker accepted the letter signed by rebel TMC MLAs nominating Ritabrata Banerjee, granting the rebel faction's claim. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/calcutta-high-court-questions-speakers-appointment-of-expelled-tmc-mla-ritabrata-banerjee-as-bengal-lop-4035632 Deccan Herald: Calcutta High Court hearing a challenge to the Speaker's recognition of the rebel faction's leader as LoP — confirms the recognition occurred and was in force around the broadcast date. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2026/07/02/will-mamata-lose-tmc-symbol-ritabrata-banerjee-meets-eci-to-stake-claim.html The Week (02 Jul 2026): On broadcast date, rebel faction (recognised in the assembly) escalated to the ECI to claim the party symbol, reflecting its recognised status. ✓ reachable · archived