Hyderabad, June 4 -- An "accidental" meeting in Delhi, a signature-forgery controversy, simmering resentment over the influence of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and a succession battle - developments that unfolded with breathtaking speed over just 13 days leading to the first split in the 28-year-old party.

What began with an apparently chance encounter between rebel TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Banga Bhavan on May 22 ended on Wednesday with 58 MLAs wresting control of the party's legislature wing, electing Ritabrata as their leader and securing recognition from the Assembly Speaker.

The rebellion formally fractured a party founded by Mamata Banerjee on January 1, 1998, after breaking away from the Congre...