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Election Commission Weighs Rival TMC Claims Ahead of Bengal Bypolls
Two groups are arguing over which one is the real Trinamool Congress.
One group supports Mamata Banerjee, and the other supports Ritabrata Banerjee.
They both want to use the party’s name, bank accounts, properties, and “Flowers and Grass” election symbol.
The Election Commission of India is deciding which group has the stronger claim.
It met representatives from both groups but has not announced a decision.
The dispute matters because bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar will take place on October 6.
If no decision comes soon, both groups might have to compete without the usual party symbol.
The two sides also disagree about when the party’s governing committee should have been renewed.
The Election Commission heard rival claims to the Trinamool Congress name, assets, and “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
The factions are led by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee.
Both camps could contest the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls without the official party symbol if the dispute remains unresolved.
The bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with nominations closing on September 16; neither faction has named candidates.
The Mamata-led faction cites a 2022 internal election, while the rebel bloc says the party committee’s term expired in February 2025.
- Who
- The Mamata Banerjee-led and Ritabrata Banerjee-led factions of the Trinamool Congress, with the Election Commission of India deciding the dispute.
- What
- A dispute over control of the Trinamool Congress, including its name, election symbol, organisation, assets, and bank accounts.
- Where
- The hearing took place in Delhi and concerns Assembly seats in Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal.
- When
- The Election Commission held hearings on Saturday; the bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with nominations closing on September 16.
- Why
- Both factions claim to represent the legitimate Trinamool Congress and want to use its official symbol and control its assets.
Mamata-led faction
Ritabrata-led rebel bloc
Who represents the party
Mamata-led faction
Mamata Banerjee remains the Trinamool Congress chairperson, and the faction says there is no legitimate party dispute.
Ritabrata-led rebel bloc
Ritabrata Banerjee’s bloc says it has organisational strength and support from enough MLAs to prove it represents the majority.
Validity of the party committee
Mamata-led faction
The faction says internal elections are held every five years and that the 2022 election gave the chairperson and national working committee five-year terms.
Ritabrata-led rebel bloc
The rebel bloc says Article 20 requires reconstitution every three years and that the previous committee’s term ended on February 11, 2025.
Use of the symbol
Mamata-led faction
The faction says it can use the “Flowers and Grass” symbol unless the Election Commission rules otherwise.
Ritabrata-led rebel bloc
The rebel bloc has also claimed the party organisation and symbol, asking the Election Commission to decide before nominations close.
Key facts
- Election symbol
- The Trinamool Congress symbol is described as “Flowers and Grass.”
- Bypoll date
- The Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls are scheduled for October 6.
- Nomination deadline
- The last date for filing nominations is September 16.
- Frozen accounts
- Four Trinamool-linked bank accounts containing Rs 804 crore remain frozen.
- Mamata faction’s claim
- It says the party’s last internal election was held in 2022 and established a five-year term for the chairperson and national working committee.
- Rebel faction’s claim
- It cites Article 20 of the party constitution, saying the national working committee must be reconstituted every three years and that its term expired on February 11, 2025.
- Legislative support
- The party won 80 Assembly seats, and more than 60 MLAs later joined Ritabrata Banerjee’s bloc.
Quotes
Ritabrata Banerjee
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and head of the rival faction
“Whatever queries the bench had we have replied to them. The commission has asked for some more documents, which we will submit. We have requested the EC to make a decision at the earliest since the last date for filing nominations for the bypolls is next week.”
telegraphindia.com
“Until the commission says that Mamata Banerjee is not the chairperson of the Trinamool Congress or bars us from using the party symbol, we can use it.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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