Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Congress Calls TMC Symbol Freeze a Birthday Gift to Modi
The Election Commission has frozen the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol, according to the report’s headline.
Congress leader Venugopal criticized the Commission chief for this action.
He called it a late-night birthday gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Commission told the two groups involved to suggest new names.
They must give three choices in order of preference.
The Commission may approve one of those names.
The groups must also suggest symbols for their candidates.
The Commission set a deadline of 11:00 AM on September 18, 2026.
Congress leader Venugopal criticized the Election Commission chief over the freezing of the TMC’s name and symbol.
Venugopal described the decision as a “late-night birthday gift” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Election Commission directed both groups to submit names by 11:00 AM on September 18, 2026.
Each group must provide three preferred names for possible approval by the Commission.
The groups were also asked to submit symbols that could be allotted to their candidates.
- Who
- The Election Commission, the two TMC-related groups, Congress leader Venugopal, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- The TMC’s name and symbol were reportedly frozen, while the Election Commission asked the two groups to propose new names and symbols.
- When
- The Commission set a submission deadline of 11:00 AM on September 18, 2026; the criticism described the decision as late-night.
- Where
- Not specified in the article.
- Why
- Venugopal criticized the action and characterized it as a birthday gift to Narendra Modi; the Commission’s stated reason is not provided.
Congress Criticism
Election Commission Directive
Meaning of the action
Congress Criticism
Venugopal portrayed the decision to freeze the TMC name and symbol as politically motivated and beneficial to Narendra Modi.
Election Commission Directive
The Election Commission issued an administrative directive requiring both groups to propose names and symbols; its justification is not included in the report.
Next steps
Congress Criticism
The criticism focuses on the fairness and timing of the Commission’s action.
Election Commission Directive
The Commission instructed both groups to submit three preferred names and proposed candidate symbols by the stated deadline.
- Decision
- The TMC name and election symbol were reportedly frozen.
- Criticism
- Congress leader Venugopal blasted the Election Commission chief.
- Description of decision
- Venugopal called it a “late-night birthday gift” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Submission deadline
- 11:00 AM on September 18, 2026.
- Name options required
- Each group must submit three name options in order of preference.
- Symbol options required
- The groups must submit symbols that could be allotted to their candidates.