EC bars both TMC factions from using party name, symbol in West Bengal bypolls

The Election Commission on Thursday barred both rival factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) from using the party’s name and its Flowers & Grass election symbol in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls.

The order escalates a months-long internal dispute that began with a rebellion against Mamata Banerjee’s leadership in June.

In an interim order, the poll panel froze the name All India Trinamool Congress and the symbol reserved for the party.

Neither the faction led by Mamata Banerjee nor the rival group headed by Ritabrata Banerjee will be allowed to use the TMC name or its traditional symbol until further orders.

The Commission has directed both factions to submit three choices for a new party name and three choices from the list of free election symbols by 11 am on September 18.

Both groups will be allotted separate names and symbols for the upcoming bypolls. The Commission has also said the factions may, if they wish, retain a reference to their parent party, All India Trinamool Congress, in the names they propose.HOW THE TMC SPLIT BEGAN

The current dispute traces its roots to the TMC’s electoral defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, after which an open rebellion erupted inside the party.

Ritabrata Banerjee, a first-time MLA who was subsequently expelled by the TMC, emerged as the face of the rebellion. In early June, he secured the backing of around 60 of the party’s 80 MLAs in the state Assembly. The legislators backed his claim to lead the TMC legislature party and he was subsequently recognised as the Leader of the Opposition by the Assembly Speaker.

At the time, the rebel legislators maintained that Mamata Banerjee remained their overall leader, while seeking changes in the party’s functioning and opposing the role and influence of her nephew and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

Ritabrata also said the rebel camp did not initially intend to split from the TMC.

The rebellion subsequently developed into a wider organisational challenge. By June 22, the Ritabrata-led faction claimed to have removed Mamata Banerjee as TMC chairperson and appointed senior MLA Arup Roy as chairperson of what it described as the “real TMC”. Mamata’s loyalists rejected the move and continued to recognise her as party chief.RIVAL FACTIONS STAKE CLAIM TO TMC IDENTITY

The dispute has since moved beyond leadership and organisational control to the party’s legal identity, including its name and election symbol.

Both factions have submitted documents to the Election Commission claiming the right to represent the TMC. The contest has intensified ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, with both camps fielding candidates while seeking to contest under the established TMC identity.

The Election Commission heard representatives of the rival factions as part of the proceedings and sought their final submissions.

Ritabrata had earlier clarified that there was no meeting initially scheduled with the Commission on September 16 or 17. He said his faction had submitted its final documents by 3 pm on September 16, as instructed, and was subsequently called by the poll panel.

“There was some misunderstanding regarding what information the Election Commission of India had sought,” Ritabrata had said, adding that reports of a meeting being scheduled for September 16 and 17 were incorrect.

He said the delegation would appear before the Commission after being invited to do so.

The delegation led by Ritabrata included Akhruzzaman, Arup Roy, Chandrima Bhattacharya and Riju Datta.EC FREEZES PARTY IDENTITY FOR BYPOLLS

The latest interim order means that neither faction can use the TMC name or its “Flowers & Grass” symbol for the upcoming bypolls.

Both factions will instead have to choose separate names and symbols from the options permitted by the Election Commission. The decision is interim and does not amount to a final ruling on which faction is entitled to the TMC’s established identity.

The Commission’s order comes as the two factions prepare to contest the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the dispute was no longer about the Trinamool Congress’ election symbol, but about control of the party’s resources.

“There is no party called Trinamool in India anymore. The fight isn’t about their symbol; it’s a battle to seize control of the dozen or so bank accounts they hold,” Bhattacharya said to ANI.

He also criticised the political situation in West Bengal, saying, “It is truly unfortunate that a state like West Bengal has no opposition. We are trying to figure out who the opposition actually is.”#WATCH | Kolkata | West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya says, "There is no party called Trinamool in India anymore...The fight isn't about their symbol; it’s a battle to seize control of the dozen or so bank accounts they hold. There is no political party called Trinamool pic.twitter.com/9hvtc967lt— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2026advertisementWHY NANDIGRAM, REJINAGAR ARE GOING TO POLLSThe Nandigram seat fell vacant after Suvendu Adhikari vacated it while retaining Bhabanipur following the 2026 Assembly elections. Adhikari had defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in that election.

The Rejinagar seat became vacant following the resignation of Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir, who had also won from Nowda.

Polling for the two by-elections is scheduled for October 6, while counting of votes will take place on October 9. The Election Commission has scheduled the completion of the entire election process before October 11.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 22:16 IST