Mamata Banerjee's party, rebel camp get new name, poll symbol after EC freeze

The Election Commission on Friday allotted separate interim names and election symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress after freezing the party’s existing name and symbol. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the election symbol 'football player', while the rebel faction has been allotted the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and the election symbol 'envelope'.

The symbols are temporary and will apply only to the upcoming by-election, the Election Commission specified, as the tussle for control of West Bengal’s Opposition party continues unabated.

The fresh identities were allotted a day after the Election Commission froze the 'All India Trinamool Congress' name and its traditional 'flowers and grass' symbol, temporarily removing both from the ballot for the October 6 West Bengal bypolls. This barred either faction from using the political identity associated with the TMC for nearly three decades.

The Commission's interim order came against the backdrop of a rebellion led by Ritabrata Banerjee against Mamata Banerjee, which began within the TMC legislature party after its defeat in the Assembly polls in May and later spread to Parliament, eventually reaching the party’s name and election symbol. The EC said the matter required substantive determination under the existing laws.

The two groups were directed to submit three preferred names and three free symbols by 11 am on Friday. The EC subsequently allotted the two factions their interim identities for the upcoming bypoll.The Mamata camp was allotted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress', along with the 'football player' symbol, while the rival faction was allotted the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the 'envelope' symbol. The Commission approved both as temporary arrangements for the bypoll.- EndsPublished By: Devika BhattacharyaPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 14:22 IST