Mamata Banerjee Moves SC Against ECI Order Freezing TMC Name, ‘Flowers and Grass’ Symbol

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to freeze the party’s original name and its “Flowers and Grass” election symbol amid a dispute between rival factions. The plea was filed on Friday and has been registered under Diary No. 58005/2026, with the ECI, its secretary and rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee named as respondents.

The legal challenge comes a day after the poll panel barred both rival factions from using the “All India Trinamool Congress” name and its reserved symbol for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls. The ECI has said the competing claims require a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. ECI Allots New Names, Symbols to Rival TMC Factions: Mamata Banerjee Gets Football Player, Arup Roy Envelope.

Why Mamata Banerjee Challenged ECI Order

The Election Commission issued its interim order on September 17 after acknowledging competing claims over control of the Trinamool Congress. The decision prevents both sides from using the party’s original identity and symbol in the upcoming bypolls. The Commission said there was insufficient time to complete the proceedings on the rival claims before the elections and therefore introduced an interim arrangement. Both factions were asked to submit alternative names and free symbols for the bypolls.

Mamata Banerjee’s faction has rejected the interim arrangement and challenged the ECI decision before the Supreme Court. The petition seeks to contest the poll panel’s decision to prevent her faction from using the original TMC name and “Flowers and Grass” symbol.

ECI Gives New Name, Symbol to Mamata Faction

The Election Commission on Friday allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” to the Mamata Banerjee-led faction along with the “Football Player” election symbol. The rival faction was allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol. These arrangements are interim and apply to the upcoming bypolls while the larger dispute over the original party identity remains unresolved. The ECI’s move was intended to allow candidates backed by both groups to contest the elections despite the unresolved dispute over the party’s name and symbol. Milan Pradhan Arrested: Hours After Opposition Support, Congress Nandigram Candidate Held in Old Case.

TMC Name and Symbol Dispute Explained

The dispute centres on competing claims over the organisational control of the Trinamool Congress. The rival camp has challenged the authority of the existing party leadership and claimed control over the organisation, while the Mamata Banerjee-led faction continues to assert its claim over the original party. The Election Commission is examining the rival claims under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order, which deals with disputes between groups claiming to represent the same recognised political party. The final decision on which faction, if any, will retain the original party identity and symbol has not yet been made.

October 6 West Bengal Bypolls in Focus

The dispute has become particularly urgent because of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls scheduled for October 6, including contests in Nandigram and Rejinagar. With nominations already filed under competing TMC claims, the ECI’s interim arrangement allows the rival groups to contest under separate names and symbols while its substantive proceedings continue. The Supreme Court challenge now adds another legal dimension to the dispute, even as the Election Commission’s interim arrangement remains in place for the bypolls.

Final Decision on Original TMC Identity Pending

The ECI’s latest action does not amount to a final determination of ownership of the original TMC name and symbol. The Commission has indicated that the rival claims require a detailed determination before a final decision can be reached. For now, Mamata Banerjee’s faction will contest the October 6 bypolls as Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the Football Player symbol, while the rival faction will use Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol. The Supreme Court petition could now determine whether the ECI’s interim arrangement is altered or remains in force during the electoral process.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 11:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).