The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to grant any interim relief against the decision of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker appointing breakaway TMC group MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition.

The petition was filed by TMC MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, who challenged the Speaker’s rejection of his nomination for the post and the subsequent appointment of Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition. The petitioner sought an interim order staying the Speaker’s decision pending adjudication of the matter.

Justice Krishna Rao, however, refused to pass any interim order at this stage, leaving the Speaker’s decision undisturbed for the time being.

The Court directed that the matter be listed for further hearing on 28 July, when the challenge to the Speaker’s decision will be considered on merits.