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Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the Election Commission (EC) to conclude its inquiry into the dispute over the ownership of
the Trinamool Congress (TMC), saying the rival faction led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee has failed to respond despite getting repeated extensions. In a letter to Election Commission Secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal on Wednesday, the TMC founder-chairperson said the rival camp should not be given any more time and requested the poll panel to wrap up the proceedings "as early as possible", citing the dispute's "serious political ramifications in West Bengal." The letter is the latest move by the Mamata Banerjee camp in the high-stakes battle over which faction will be recognised as the "real" All India Trinamool Congress. The EC's decision will determine who gets the party's name, election symbol, organisational control, and assets.
Mamata Questions Repeated Extensions
Referring to the EC's July 2 communication, Banerjee said her camp submitted its detailed reply on July 6 within the deadline despite having little time to prepare. She added that a copy of the response was also sent to Ritabrata Banerjee through email and speed post, as directed by the Commission.
According to her letter, the EC had initially asked Ritabrata Banerjee to submit his response by July 6. The deadline was first extended to July 10 and later, on his request, to July 25.
Claiming that the rival camp had still not filed its response, Banerjee wrote, "Even after 25th July 2026, we have not been informed whether Shri Ritabrata Banerjee has submitted his reply or not, and if he has replied, no such copy has been provided to us. Therefore, it can be inferred that no reply has been submitted."
She argued that since the rival faction had failed to respond despite receiving two extensions, "it can be inferred that all our submissions and statements pointed out in our letter dated 6th July 2026 have been admitted and they do not have any answer to that".
Banerjee also maintained that the rival camp could not introduce fresh arguments beyond the representations it had submitted on June 22.
"In short, they cannot make out a new case other than the letters addressed by them on 22nd June 2026," she wrote.
'Trying to Create False Evidence'
Questioning why repeated extensions had been granted, Banerjee alleged that the rival faction was using the extra time to fabricate supporting material.
"We firmly believe that because of the extension of time granted by you, Shri Ritabrata Banerjee and others are trying to create false evidence to develop their case since they do not have any merit in respect of their allegations which we have firmly disputed," the letter stated.
She also stressed that the proceedings should ensure fairness for both sides.
"There should be a level playing field for us to meet the grievances made by them... and for them to deal with our contentions. We humbly submit it would be inappropriate to give them any further extension after 25th July 2026," she wrote.
Seeking an early conclusion to the proceedings, Banerjee added, "Since the matter has serious political ramifications in West Bengal, I would request you to conclude the investigation as early as possible without providing them with any further date to submit their comments."
In her concluding remarks, she said, "Justice must be rooted through confidence, and if any further time after 25th July 2026 is given, that confidence is shaken."
The EC's decision is expected to determine which faction will be recognised as the "real" Trinamool Congress and retain the party's name, election symbol, organisational structure and financial assets.
The dispute follows an unprecedented split within the TMC after the party's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, ending its 15-year rule in the state.
For the first time since founding the party in 1998, Mamata Banerjee was replaced as TMC chairperson by a rebel faction, which elected senior MLA Arup Roy as its chief and announced a parallel organisational structure.
The political crisis deepened after a majority of TMC MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee's claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition over Mamata Banerjee camp's nominee, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay. That dispute is currently pending before the courts.
Meanwhile, both factions have approached the Election Commission, which is now examining rival claims before deciding which group represents the "real" Trinamool Congress under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order.
(With inputs from PTI)
