In Fight For Trinamool Name And Symbol, Poll Body's Freeze Ahead Of Bypolls

Pending a final order, the Election Commission of India decided on Thursday to freeze the name 'All India Trinamool Congress' and its symbol, 'Flowers and Grass'. Neither faction -- one led by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the other consisting of Ritabrata Banerjee and others -- can thus use these in the bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal, among other places, to be held on October 6. This interim order is meant "to place both the rival groups on even keel and to protect their rights and interests", the commission said, citing past precedents.

"Both the groups shall be known by such names as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party 'All India Trinamool Congress'; and both the groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current bye-elections," the interim order of September 17 read.

This also means the commission has markedly identified two rival groups within the party who claim to represent it. The EC stated that a "substantive determination" under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, is required. The interim order will remain in effect until that decision.

Both groups were asked to submit preferred names and free symbols, three each, by 11 am on September 18.

As the commission began proceedings to determine which group represents the recognised political party, it identified two groups, one led by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the other by Arup Roy, who has been named party chairperson by the group of Ritabrata Banerjee, currently recognised as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.

The dispute centres on competing claims over the party's organisational authority, the validity of its National Working Committee and the appointment of office-bearers.

How Ritabrata-Arup Roy Faction Emerged

The Arup Roy-Ritabrata Banerjee faction, which has the majority of the party MLAs in Bengal on its side, emerged following a special session of the AITC (or TMC, the other popular acronym for the party) convened on June 22, 2026. Ritabrata Banerjee, who represented this group before the Election Commission, argued that the tenure of the National Working Committee had expired on February 11, 2025, leaving it without the constitutional authority to continue exercising its powers.

According to his submissions, a special session was convened in Kolkata to address the party's organisational situation. Delegates attending the session elected Arup Roy as chairperson of the National Working Committee, he argued. The faction subsequently submitted organisational documents and authorisation letters to the Election Commission.

Mamata Banerjee Faction's Response

The faction of party founder Mamata Banerjee disputes the validity of this process. In her submissions, Mamata Banerjee described the rival group's claims and the elections of office-bearers as contrary to the party constitution. She asked the EC to disregard the June 22 communication and not attach credibility to it.

The dispute also involves competing interpretations of the party's organisational rules, the tenure of its committees and the validity of appointments made during the reorganisation of the party. In submissions to the commission, Mamata Banerjee faction's MP Derek O'Brien argued that amendments to the party constitution had extended the tenure of the National Working Committee and other organisational bodies from three years to five years. The faction referred to previous communications with the EC too.

Ritabrata Banerjee disputed the validity of such amendments.

Competing Candidates in Bypolls

The Election Commission's interim order comes against the backdrop of assembly bypolls in which rival candidates have claimed to represent the All India Trinamool Congress.

In the Rejinagar constituency, the Returning Officer received nominations from candidates supported by the two factions, with Form-B authorisations issued by Arup Roy and Mamata Banerjee, respectively. A similar situation was reported in Nandigram.

A candidate in Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency submitted authorisation from the Mamata Banerjee faction.

The commission noted that the time available was insufficient to complete the proceedings for a final determination.

How Election Commission Decides Names, Symbols

The EC's authority to resolve disputes over recognised political parties is governed by Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Under this provision, when rival groups claim to represent the same recognised political party, the commission can determine which group, if any, is the recognised party. Its decision is binding on the rival factions. Sometimes neither faction is recognised as the original party, depending on the facts of the case.

In determining such disputes, the commission examines the party constitution, organisational elections, membership records, resolutions, and the support enjoyed by rival groups among elected representatives.

The consideration of organisational strength and legislative support has been discussed in the context of previous party-split cases. Its proceedings are intended to determine which faction represents the recognised party under the applicable legal framework, rather than settle ideological disagreements.

Symbols are classified as reserved and free. Recognised national and state parties are entitled to reserved symbols, while free symbols are available for allocation to eligible candidates and parties under the applicable rules.