Kolkata, July 11 -- West Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Ritabrata Banerjee on Saturday announced the appointment of district presidents for his faction, naming former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mandal as the president of Birbhum district.

Mandal, once considered a close aide of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a Birbhum strongman, formally joined the rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee, dealing a fresh setback to the TMC.

Addressing the press conference here, Ritabrata said, "We have appointed the Presidents of various districts. Prasun Banerjee has been made the President of Malda district, Debashis Kumar of South Kolkata district, Sandipan Saha of North Kolkata district, Anubrata Mandal of the Bi...