Archive · 18 Sep 2026
EC Freezes TMC Name, Symbol Ahead of 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 Nandigram and Rejinagar.
Each group must suggest three new names and three new symbols.
The Commission will choose from those suggestions and its list of available symbols.
The Commission says it needs more time to decide which group represents the party.
A Mamata Banerjee faction leader called the order illegal, while the rival faction said it accepted the temporary arrangement.
The Election Commission temporarily barred both rival All India Trinamool Congress factions from using the party name and “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
The Commission’s order identifies factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy, although several reports describe the opposing faction as led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
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 Assembly 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, while faction leaders and Congress offered opposing reactions.
- 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; some reports describe the opposing faction as led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
- What
- The Commission temporarily barred both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol, requiring them to choose alternatives.
- When
- The interim order was issued Thursday night, September 17, 2026; alternatives are due by 11 a.m. on September 18, before the October 6 bypolls.
- Where
- The affected contests are in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies; the order was issued by the Commission in New Delhi.
- Why
- Both groups claim to be the party, and the Commission said it needs more time for a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Supporters of the Interim Arrangement
Critics and Dissenting Voices
Purpose of the order
Supporters of the Interim Arrangement
The Commission said restricting both factions would place them on an even keel, protect their rights and interests, and address the urgency of the upcoming bypolls.
Critics and Dissenting Voices
Kalyan Banerjee of the Mamata faction called the order illegal and contrary to law, citing alleged legal infirmities, though he acknowledged the faction might temporarily comply.
Control of the party identity
Supporters of the Interim Arrangement
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 accepted the interim 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 Arrangement
The Commission said the measure is interim and applies to the current by-elections until the organisational dispute receives a final determination.
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.
- 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 named in order
- Groups led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy
- Reported faction description
- Several reports describe the rival faction as led by Ritabrata Banerjee, with Arup Roy named as its chairperson.
- Submission deadline
- 11:00 a.m. on September 18, 2026
- Bypoll date
- October 6, 2026
- Constituencies
- Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal
- Legal basis
- Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968
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
EC bars both TMC factions from using party name and symbol for Assembly bye-polls
ECI freezes TMC name and symbol, asks rival Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee factions to pick new ones
Election Commission puts TMC name, symbol on hold before October 6 Assembly bypolls - Telegraph India
ECI freezes Trinamool Congress name, symbol in interim order ahead of assembly bypolls