Archive · 14 Sep 2026
TMC Loyal Faction Names Candidates Amid Symbol Dispute
Two groups inside the Trinamool Congress are arguing over who can use the party’s name and symbol.
The group led by Mamata Banerjee announced candidates for three upcoming bypolls.
Two candidates will contest Assembly seats in West Bengal.
Another candidate will contest the Nagaon parliamentary seat in Assam.
The Election Commission heard both sides but did not issue an interim order on Saturday.
It asked the groups to appear again on the 16th and 17th.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said his group would use the party symbol in the bypolls.
The rival group, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, is expected to name its own candidates.
The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction named candidates for Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal.
Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury were selected for the two West Bengal seats.
The faction also nominated Abdul Salam for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll in Assam.
The announcements followed an Election Commission hearing over rival factions’ claims to the TMC identity and symbol.
The rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee is expected to announce its candidates on Monday.
- Who
- The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction, the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, and the Election Commission are involved.
- What
- The loyal faction announced candidates for two West Bengal Assembly bypolls and one Assam Lok Sabha bypoll amid a dispute over the party’s identity and symbol.
- When
- The loyal faction announced the candidates on Sunday evening; the Election Commission directed the factions to appear on the 16th and 17th.
- Where
- The contests are in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal and Nagaon in Assam; the Election Commission hearing took place in New Delhi.
- Why
- The loyal faction said it would contest using the TMC symbol because the Election Commission had not issued an interim order on the symbol dispute.
Mamata Banerjee-Led Loyal Faction
Ritabrata Banerjee-Led Rebel Faction
Use of party symbol
Mamata Banerjee-Led Loyal Faction
The loyal faction says its candidates will contest using the TMC symbol because the Election Commission did not issue an interim order barring its use.
Ritabrata Banerjee-Led Rebel Faction
The rebel faction is also contesting the dispute over the TMC identity and symbol and is expected to field its own candidates.
Bypoll candidates
Mamata Banerjee-Led Loyal Faction
The loyal faction has already named candidates for Nandigram, Rejinagar, and Nagaon.
Ritabrata Banerjee-Led Rebel Faction
The rebel camp is expected to announce its candidates on Monday.
Party organization
Mamata Banerjee-Led Loyal Faction
Derek O'Brien told the Election Commission that the party’s national working committee has a five-year tenure.
Ritabrata Banerjee-Led Rebel Faction
The article does not state the rebel camp’s position on the national working committee’s tenure.
- West Bengal Assembly seats
- Nandigram and Rejinagar
- Assam parliamentary seat
- Nagaon
- Loyal faction candidates
- Sanchita Pradhan (Dey), Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, and Abdul Salam
- Party symbol
- Two flowers with grassroot
- Election Commission decision
- No interim order was issued after Saturday’s hearing
- Next hearing dates
- The factions were directed to appear on the 16th and 17th
- Expected rebel announcement
- The rebel faction was expected to field candidates on Monday