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EC Freezes TMC Name and Symbol Before Bengal Bypolls
The Election Commission says two groups are claiming to represent the Trinamool Congress.
For now, neither group can use the party’s official name.
Neither group can use the party’s “Flowers and Grass” election symbol.
This rule applies to upcoming elections in two West Bengal constituencies.
Each group must suggest three new names and three new symbols.
The Commission will choose from those suggestions and its list of free symbols.
One faction accepted the temporary order, while a leader from Mamata Banerjee’s faction called it illegal.
A final decision about which group represents the party will come later.
The Election Commission temporarily barred rival factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
The order identifies factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy; one headline referred to a Ritabrata Banerjee faction, while the order itself names Arup Roy.
Both groups must submit three preferred names and three free symbols by 11 a.m. on September 18, 2026.
The interim arrangement applies to the October 6 bypolls in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies.
The Commission said a final decision under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order requires more time.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India and rival All India Trinamool Congress factions identified in the order as led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy. One headline referred to a Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction, but the quoted order names Arup Roy.
- What
- The Commission temporarily barred both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
- Where
- The affected contests are in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies; the order was issued by the Commission in New Delhi.
- When
- The interim order was issued Thursday night; submissions are due by 11 a.m. on September 18, 2026, ahead of bypolls scheduled for October 6.
- Why
- The Commission said both groups claim to be the party and that a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, requires more time.
Supporters of the Interim Order
Critics and Dissenting Voices
Purpose of the temporary arrangement
Supporters of the Interim Order
The Commission said barring both factions from the name and symbol would place them on an even keel, protect their rights and interests, and address the urgency of the bypolls.
Critics and Dissenting Voices
Kalyan Banerjee of the Mamata faction called the order illegal and contrary to law, citing alleged legal infirmities, although he acknowledged the faction might temporarily accept it.
Who should control the party identity
Supporters of the Interim Order
The Commission said both groups claim to be the party, so it must conduct a substantive proceeding before deciding which group, if any, is entitled to the recognised name and symbol.
Critics and Dissenting Voices
The rival faction said it accepted the order and expressed confidence that it would ultimately receive what it described as the party’s official and original name and symbol.
Political implications
Supporters of the Interim Order
The Commission’s interim measure is limited to the current by-elections and does not constitute a final ruling on the organisational dispute.
Critics and Dissenting Voices
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal condemned the move, alleged it could facilitate defections, and demanded restoration of the symbol to the Mamata Banerjee faction.
Key facts
- Authority
- Election Commission of India
- Interim restriction
- Neither faction may use “All India Trinamool Congress” by itself or the reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
- Factions in order
- Groups led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy
- Submission deadline
- 11:00 a.m. on September 18, 2026
- Bypoll date
- October 6, 2026
- Constituencies
- Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal
- Duration
- The interim arrangement continues until the organisational dispute receives a final determination.
Quotes
Election Commission of India
India’s constitutional body responsible for conducting elections
“Both the groups shall be known by such names as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party “All India Trinamool Congress”; and Both the groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current by-elections”
thestatesman.com
theprint.in
“Neither of the two groups led by Arup Roy (Petitioner) and the other led by Mamata Banerjee (Respondent) shall be permitted to use the name of the party “All India Trinamool Congress” simplicitor; Neither of the two groups shall also be permitted to use the symbol “Flowers & Grass”, reserved for “All India Trinamool Congress””
rediff.com
thestatesman.com
Sources
EC bars rival TMC factions from using party name, symbol in Bengal bypolls amid battle for identity
EC bars Trinamool factions from using party name, symbol for Bengal bypolls
ECI freezes TMC name and symbol, asks rival Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee factions to pick new ones
ECI freezes Trinamool Congress name, symbol in interim order ahead of assembly bypolls
EC bars rival TMC factions from using party name, symbol in West Bengal bypolls
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