Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Mamata Banerjee Challenges EC Freeze on TMC Name, Symbol
Two groups are arguing over who should use the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol.
The Election Commission temporarily stopped both groups from using the original name and twin-flower symbol.
It said the dispute needs a fuller investigation under election rules.
Mamata Banerjee’s group received a new name and a football-player symbol for upcoming bypolls.
The other group received the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and an envelope symbol.
Mamata called the decision a black day for democracy and took the matter to the Supreme Court.
In Nandigram, her group’s candidate withdrew and Mamata supported a Congress candidate instead.
The temporary arrangements apply to the October 6 bypolls, with counting scheduled for October 9.
Mamata Banerjee moved the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s interim freeze on the TMC’s original name and symbol.
The EC barred both rival factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and the ‘Jora Ghash Phul’ symbol pending a final determination.
Mamata’s faction was assigned ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Football Player’ symbol for the October 6 bypolls.
The rival faction led by Arup Roy was assigned ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Envelope’ symbol; Ritabrata Banerjee was named as a respondent.
After Sanchita Pradhan withdrew from Nandigram, Mamata backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, describing the move as support for the INDIA alliance.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission of India, and rival TMC factions associated with Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy; Ritabrata Banerjee was named as a respondent.
- What
- Banerjee challenged the EC’s interim decision to freeze the original TMC name and symbol and assign replacement identities to the factions.
- When
- The EC issued its interim order on September 17, 2026, assigned replacement identities on September 18, and scheduled the bypolls for October 6, with counting on October 9.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, particularly the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies.
- Why
- The EC said both factions claimed the All India Trinamool Congress identity and that the dispute required substantive determination under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Mamata Banerjee’s Faction
Election Commission and Rival Faction
Freeze on the original identity
Mamata Banerjee’s Faction
Mamata called the freeze a ‘black day’ in the country’s democratic history, rejected the interim arrangement as a settlement, and vowed to reclaim the original name and symbol.
Election Commission and Rival Faction
The EC said both factions claimed the All India Trinamool Congress identity and that a substantive determination was required before a final decision.
Temporary names and symbols
Mamata Banerjee’s Faction
Mamata’s faction is contesting under ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Football Player’ symbol, while Banerjee says the arrangement does not settle the dispute.
Election Commission and Rival Faction
The EC barred both groups from using the original identity and assigned ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Envelope’ symbol to the rival faction for the bypolls.
Nandigram withdrawal
Mamata Banerjee’s Faction
Mamata backed Congress candidate Milan Pradhan after Sanchita Pradhan withdrew, presenting the decision as solidarity with the INDIA alliance against the BJP.
Election Commission and Rival Faction
Reports differed on why Sanchita Pradhan withdrew: some linked it to a meeting with Suvendu Adhikari, while another report mentioned an allegation involving the Congress candidate.
- Original identity
- All India Trinamool Congress and the reserved ‘Jora Ghash Phul’ or ‘Flowers and Grass’ symbol.
- Mamata faction
- ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ with the ‘Football Player’ symbol.
- Rival faction
- ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ with the ‘Envelope’ symbol; reports identify Arup Roy as its leader and associate the faction with Ritabrata Banerjee.
- Interim restriction
- Neither faction may use the original party name or reserved symbol until the dispute is finally determined.
- Affected elections
- Bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9.
- Nandigram development
- Sanchita Pradhan withdrew, after which Mamata supported Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
- Legal basis
- The EC cited the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, including its Paragraph 15 process.
Sources
Mamata Banerjee moves Supreme Court against Election Commission freeze on TMC name, symbol
Mamata moves SC against EC order on party name, symbol
Mamata Banerjee challenges EC decision to freeze Trinamool name, symbol in Supreme Court
'Black day' in country’s democratic history: Mamata moves SC against EC order freezing TMC name, symbol
Mamata Moves SC Challenging EC's Decision to Freeze Party Name, Symbol
Mamata moves SC against EC order on party name, symbol
Mamata Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Against EC’s Order To Freeze TMC Name, Symbol
Mamata Banerjee moves SC challenging EC’s freeze on Trinamool name, symbol
Mamata moves SC against EC order on party name, symbol
