Kolkata, June 3 -- The internal crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) deepened on Wednesday as a group of rebel MLAs, including expelled party leaders Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, claimed the backing of 58 legislators in the West Bengal Assembly and rejected the party leadership's choice, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, for the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP).

The letter submitted to the Speaker Rathindranath Bose demands the LoP position for Ritabrata Banerjee and also claims the post of Chief Whip for the faction. Sandipan Saha. Javed Ahmed Khan, Seuli Saha and Sabina Yasmin are named as Deputy LoP.

Speaker Rathindranath Bose has accepted the letter and the process is under approval. The letter however reaffirms Mamata Baner...