Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Sets Three-Month Deadline for TMC Faction Ruling
Two groups are arguing over who should control the Trinamool Congress party name and election symbol.
Mamata Banerjee leads one group, while Arup Roy leads the other.
The Election Commission temporarily stopped both groups from using the old party name and symbol.
It gave Banerjee’s group a football-player symbol and the other group an envelope symbol.
Mamata Banerjee asked the Supreme Court to review that decision.
The Supreme Court has now given both groups four weeks to submit their evidence.
After that, the Election Commission must decide the dispute within three months.
The Election Commission had asked for six months, but the court rejected that request.
The arrangements apply to upcoming bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to decide the Trinamool Congress faction dispute within three months.
Both factions must submit their responses and evidence to the Election Commission within four weeks.
The court rejected the Election Commission’s request for six months, saying three months was sufficient.
The Election Commission froze the All India Trinamool Congress name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol amid rival claims.
Mamata Banerjee’s faction is using the “Football Player” symbol, while Arup Roy’s faction is using the “Envelope” symbol.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, Arup Roy, their rival Trinamool Congress factions, the Election Commission of India, and the Supreme Court.
- What
- The Supreme Court ordered the Election Commission to decide the dispute over the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol within three months after the factions complete their pleadings.
- When
- The Supreme Court issued the direction on Monday, September 28, 2026; the factions have four weeks to submit responses and evidence.
- Where
- The Supreme Court and the Election Commission proceedings concerning West Bengal.
- Why
- The factions separately claimed the party name, election symbol, and organisational control.
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Arup Roy Faction
Party identity
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The Banerjee-led faction challenged the Election Commission’s interim freeze on the All India Trinamool Congress name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol.
Arup Roy Faction
The opposing faction separately claimed the Trinamool Congress name, symbol, and organisational control.
Temporary election symbols
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The faction is contesting the upcoming bypolls with the “Football Player” symbol under the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress.”
Arup Roy Faction
The faction is contesting with the “Envelope” symbol under the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress.”
Dispute resolution timeline
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Banerjee’s plea sought review of the Election Commission’s interim arrangement while the factional dispute is resolved.
Arup Roy Faction
The Election Commission requested six months to decide the matter, but the Supreme Court ordered a three-month decision period after four weeks of pleadings.
- Court bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
- Party dispute deadline
- The Election Commission must decide within three months after the pleadings are completed.
- Pleading period
- Both factions have four weeks to submit responses and evidence.
- Election Commission request
- The poll panel sought six months to decide the dispute, but the court rejected the request.
- Frozen identity
- The All India Trinamool Congress name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol were frozen.
- Banerjee faction
- Recognised for the bypoll arrangements as “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” with the “Football Player” symbol.
- Rival faction
- Recognised as “Democratic Trinamool Congress” with the “Envelope” symbol.
- Upcoming bypolls
- Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9.
