The Election Commission has finalized the names and election symbols for both factions of the TMC. Mamata Banerjee’s faction has been allotted the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ (MAITC) and the ‘football player’ symbol, while the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been assigned the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘envelope’ symbol. Both factions will be granted the status of recognized political parties in West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
Earlier, the Election Commission had frozen the Trinamool Congress name and symbol, dealing a setback to both factions. They will now contest elections under their respective new names and symbols. After three options were submitted to the Election Commission, the Commission has now permitted both factions to use new symbols. The Commission reached this decision—issued in an interim order yesterday following hearings with leaders from the factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy—in accordance with the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
How did the dispute begin? The conflict arose following the results of the West Bengal Assembly elections. In that election, the TMC faced a humiliating defeat, while the BJP secured a major victory. Following this defeat for the Trinamool Congress, the majority of the winning MLAs refused to accept Mamata Banerjee as their leader and formed a separate faction under the leadership of Ritabrata Banerjee. Subsequently, a battle for control over the Trinamool Congress ensued. Claims were made first for the party funds, followed by the name and symbol; the dispute centered on the party’s organizational structure and the tenure of the National Executive Committee. Amidst this conflict, a meeting of the dissident leaders was held on June 22, 2026, during which it was claimed that Arup Ray had been elected as the Chairperson of the National Executive Committee. Subsequently, the Ritabrata faction staked a claim before the Election Commission, asserting that theirs was the genuine Trinamool Congress and that they were entitled to the party’s name and election symbol.
What was the stance of the Mamata faction? The Mamata Banerjee faction argued that the dissident group had misinterpreted the party’s constitution and that the meeting held on June 22 could not be regarded as a valid organizational process. They contended that the party’s organizational elections and the process of committee formation had been conducted in accordance with the constitution; therefore, the dissident group’s demands—whether to oust Mamata Banerjee or to form a new organization—were invalid. Thus, both sides approached the Election Commission, each claiming to be the real Trinamool Congress and asserting their right to the party’s name and the ‘flower and grass’ symbol. The dispute escalated following the announcement of by-elections for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats in West Bengal. Both factions initiated the process of fielding candidates for these seats and staked a claim to the TMC’s official name and its ‘flowers and grass’ symbol.
What decision did the Election Commission take? The Commission sought documents pertaining to the organization, office-bearers, and authorized representatives of both factions, and provided both groups with an opportunity to present their respective cases. On September 17, the Election Commission issued an interim order. The Election Commission stated that, for the time being, neither Mamata Banerjee’s faction nor any other group would be permitted to use the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ or the reserved ‘flowers and grass’ symbol. The Commission asked both factions to submit three alternative party names and three free symbols in order of preference, and to select a name that implies an association with the original TMC. Distinct names and symbols will be allotted to the two factions for the upcoming by-elections.
