Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Seeks ECI Timeline For Trinamool Name Symbol Dispute
Two groups say they should control the Trinamool Congress party.
They are fighting over the party’s name and its “Flowers & Grass” election symbol.
The Election Commission has temporarily stopped both groups from using the original name and symbol.
It gave Mamata Banerjee’s group a different name and the “Football Player” symbol.
It gave the other group another name and the “Envelope” symbol.
The Supreme Court wants the Commission to say how quickly it can make a final decision.
The court also wants both groups to have enough time to show their evidence.
The judges said the case should not be allowed to continue for too long.
The temporary arrangement will apply during by-elections scheduled for October 6.
The Supreme Court asked the Election Commission of India to propose a reasonable timeframe for deciding the All India Trinamool Congress name and symbol dispute.
The dispute involves rival factions led primarily by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee, although one report identifies the opposing leader as Arup Roy.
The ECI has temporarily frozen the party’s “Flowers & Grass” symbol and the All India Trinamool Congress name pending final adjudication.
Mamata Banerjee’s faction received “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol, while the rival faction received “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
The court stressed that proceedings must be prompt but fair, with the matter listed again for September 28 and by-elections scheduled for October 6.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the Election Commission of India, and rival Trinamool Congress factions led primarily by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee; one report names Arup Roy as the opposing faction’s leader.
- What
- The Supreme Court asked the ECI to provide a reasonable timeframe for finally deciding the dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol.
- When
- The hearing took place on September 24, 2026; the matter will be heard again on September 28, and the relevant by-elections are scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the All India Trinamool Congress and West Bengal by-elections, including contests in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
- Why
- The court wants to prevent prolonged uncertainty while ensuring that both factions can submit evidence and receive a fair hearing.
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Rival Faction And Election Commission
Speed of adjudication
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Mamata Banerjee’s side sought a quick final decision, arguing that the dispute had remained pending and that delay could weaken meaningful legal remedies, including in future elections.
Rival Faction And Election Commission
The rival faction and the ECI said the process needed adequate time because it involved factual questions, affidavits, evidence, and consideration of both sides’ claims; they cautioned that an October or one-month deadline could be impractical.
Interim order during elections
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Mamata Banerjee’s counsel questioned whether the ECI could issue the interim order during an ongoing election process and argued that the timing left the faction with limited opportunity to challenge it effectively.
Rival Faction And Election Commission
The ECI maintained that it had authority to issue interim directions during an unresolved intra-party dispute. The court indicated that the notified election arrangement should not be disturbed mid-election.
Party name and symbol claims
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Mamata Banerjee’s faction claims the original All India Trinamool Congress identity and challenges the freezing of the original name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol.
Rival Faction And Election Commission
The opposing faction also claims the party identity and said it would cooperate with the ECI proceedings and present evidence. Reports differ on whether this faction is led by Ritabrata Banerjee or Arup Roy.
- Disputed identity
- Rival factions are contesting the All India Trinamool Congress name, the “Flowers & Grass” symbol, and organisational control.
- ECI interim order
- The ECI froze the original party name and symbol pending final adjudication.
- Mamata faction
- It was allotted “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol.
- Opposing faction
- It was allotted “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
- Court request
- The Supreme Court asked the ECI to suggest a timeframe that is neither excessively long nor too short for a fair evidentiary process.
- Upcoming elections
- By-elections, including those in Nandigram and Rejinagar, are scheduled for October 6.
- Next hearing
- The case is listed for September 28, 2026.
Sources
Supreme Court Pushes ECI For Early Decision In Trinamool Symbol Row, Cites Shiv Sena Delay
SC asks ECI to indicate timeframe for deciding TMC name, symbol dispute
Supreme Court seeks update from Election Commission on TMC party name row