The Election Commission of India (ECI) has allotted new names and election symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress ahead of the October 6 bypolls in West Bengal. The decision follows the poll panel’s interim order freezing the use of the party’s original name, All India Trinamool Congress, and its reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol. The rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been given the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress”, with an “Envelope” as its election symbol.
The fresh identities will be used for the upcoming by-elections, including the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. The ECI has described the arrangement as an interim measure while it considers the larger dispute over which faction can claim the original party name and symbol.
The dispute intensified after rival groups submitted separate nomination-related documents claiming the TMC name. On September 17, the Election Commission directed both factions to stop using the original party name and the “Flowers and Grass” symbol for the bypolls. The two groups were then asked to submit three preferred names and three choices of free symbols by September 18.
According to reports, the Commission’s interim arrangement is intended to keep the two groups on an equal footing during the election process and prevent confusion over candidates and symbols. The final decision on the underlying organisational dispute is still pending.
The decision has also triggered political reactions. The Mamata Banerjee camp has questioned the Election Commission’s order. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee described the decision as contrary to law and said the faction would respond to the Commission. On the other hand, leaders associated with the rival camp have welcomed the interim arrangement while maintaining their claim over the original party identity.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has separately criticised the Election Commission’s action, alleging that the BJP and the poll panel were working together against opposition parties. Those comments represent his political assessment of the decision and have not been established as a finding by the Election Commission.
For voters in the upcoming bypolls, the immediate change is that candidates backed by the two rival groups will appear under different party names and symbols. The October 6 contests in West Bengal will therefore take place with these temporary identities, while the larger dispute over the original TMC name and symbol remains unresolved.
The Election Commission’s latest move marks a significant procedural development in the internal dispute and gives both factions a distinct electoral identity for the immediate bypoll process. The final determination regarding control of the original party name and reserved symbol is expected to come separately from the interim arrangement.
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