ECI Freezes TMC ‘Name’ and ‘Symbol’ for Both Factions Ahead of Nandigram, Rejinagar Assembly Bypolls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has temporarily frozen the use of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) name and its reserved ‘Flowers & Grass’ election symbol by both rival factions of the party ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls. The interim order comes amid a dispute between factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee, with both groups claiming control of the party.

ECI Asks Both TMC Factions to Choose New Names, Symbols

Under the interim arrangement, neither faction will be allowed to contest the upcoming bypolls using the name “All India Trinamool Congress” or its reserved ‘Flowers & Grass’ symbol. The ECI has directed both groups to submit three preferred names and three free symbols, in order of preference. The Commission will subsequently allot separate names and symbols to the two factions for the bypolls. The groups may choose names that retain a reference to their parent party if they wish, while their election symbols will be selected from the list of free symbols notified by the poll panel. Ritabrata-led TMC Delegation Leaves for Delhi to Meet ECI over Party Name, Symbol Dispute.

TMC Name and Symbol Freeze Is Interim

The ECI’s order is an interim measure and does not represent a final decision on the organisational dispute within the Trinamool Congress. The Commission is examining competing claims concerning the party’s organisational structure, leadership and authorised representatives. The final dispute will be dealt with under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The poll panel said the temporary arrangement was intended to place both rival groups on an equal footing and protect their interests while the proceedings continue.

Decision Comes Ahead of October 6 West Bengal Bypolls

The ECI’s order comes just ahead of Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, scheduled for October 6. The dispute over the TMC identity has therefore acquired immediate electoral significance, as both factions had sought to contest the bypolls while claiming the party’s established name and symbol. The Election Commission’s interim arrangement allows the electoral process to proceed without either faction receiving exclusive use of the disputed identity before the larger organisational dispute is settled.

Rival Factions Claim Control of TMC

The TMC dispute intensified after rival groups emerged claiming authority over the party organisation. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee and the group led by Ritabrata Banerjee have submitted competing claims before the Election Commission regarding the party’s organisational control. The Commission has held hearings with representatives of both sides as part of the ongoing proceedings. The immediate question for the October bypolls is now settled through the interim arrangement: neither faction will use the existing TMC name or its reserved symbol. Mamata Vs Ritabrata: ECI Likely to Decide on TMC Name, Symbol Dispute Today.

Final Decision on TMC Identity Still Pending

The latest ECI order does not determine which faction is the legitimate Trinamool Congress or who will ultimately retain the party’s name and election symbol. Both groups will instead contest the forthcoming bypolls under separate identities and symbols while the Commission continues examining their competing organisational claims. The final outcome of the proceedings will determine the longer-term status of the TMC name and its ‘Flowers & Grass’ symbol.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2026 11:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).