The Trinamool Congres (TMC) on Wednesday suffered its first split in its 28-year history as 58 rebel MLAs elected expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, wresting control of its legislature party, and secured recognition from the Assembly Speaker, plunging Mamata Banerjee’s outfit into its gravest internal crisis since its inception.

The rebel camp, led by Ritabrata and fellow expelled MLA Sandipan Saha, submitted letters of support before the Speaker, comfortably crossing the two-thirds threshold required under the anti-defection law. “Our claim has been accepted by the Speaker,” Ritabrata said.