Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Trinamool Factions Seek Recognition as Mamata Weighs Bypoll Contest
Two groups are arguing over which one is the real Trinamool Congress.
The Election Commission must decide which group gets the party name and election symbol.
This decision matters because two West Bengal Assembly seats will soon have by-elections.
The elections are planned for October 6.
One of the seats is Nandigram, where Mamata Banerjee lost in 2021.
Mamata has not said clearly whether she will run again.
The group led by Ritabrata Banerjee says it would not compete in Nandigram if Mamata ran there.
Another politician, Humayun Kabir, has invited her to contest from Rejinagar instead.
The Election Commission has given rival Trinamool factions more time to claim the party’s original name and election symbol.
The factions are led by Mamata Banerjee and former Left leader Ritabrata Banerjee, who is described as the Assembly’s Leader of Opposition.
By-elections for Rejinagar and Nandigram are scheduled for October 6, with nominations closing four days before polling.
Mamata Banerjee has not confirmed whether she will contest, while Ritabrata’s faction says it would not field a Nandigram candidate against her.
Rejinagar leader Humayun Kabir has invited Mamata to contest there and said he could help ensure her victory.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, Ritabrata Banerjee, Humayun Kabir, the rival Trinamool factions, and the Election Commission.
- What
- The Election Commission is considering competing claims over the Trinamool Congress name and symbol before by-elections, while Mamata Banerjee’s possible candidacy is being discussed.
- When
- The by-elections are scheduled for October 6, with nominations closing four days earlier; the Election Commission extended time for the factions to present their claims on Saturday.
- Where
- The dispute concerns West Bengal, particularly the Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies.
- Why
- The factions want official recognition before the by-elections, and Mamata may seek a return to the West Bengal Assembly.
Mamata Banerjee faction
Ritabrata Banerjee faction
Official party status
Mamata Banerjee faction
The faction associated with Mamata Banerjee is seeking recognition as the original Trinamool Congress and control of its name and symbol.
Ritabrata Banerjee faction
The faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee is also presenting its claim for the original party name and symbol.
Nandigram candidacy
Mamata Banerjee faction
Mamata’s camp has not confirmed whether she will contest, although her possible return to the Assembly is being widely discussed.
Ritabrata Banerjee faction
The Ritabrata faction says it would not field a candidate in Nandigram if Mamata contested there.
Electoral effect
Mamata Banerjee faction
A Mamata candidacy could give her a route back into the state legislature after her previous loss in Nandigram.
Ritabrata Banerjee faction
The faction’s decision not to contest could leave the BJP with an advantage in Nandigram, according to the report.
- Election date
- October 6
- Constituencies
- Rejinagar and Nandigram
- Recognition dispute
- The Election Commission is reviewing claims over the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol.
- Mamata’s position
- She has not conclusively stated whether she will contest the by-elections.
- Nandigram background
- Mamata Banerjee lost there to Suvendu Adhikari in 2021.
- Rejinagar invitation
- Humayun Kabir has invited Mamata to contest from Rejinagar.
- Ritabrata faction position
- It says it would not field a candidate in Nandigram if Mamata contested there.