Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) faction on Thursday slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its interim decision
to bar both factions from using the party's name and its twin-flowers-on-grass symbol in the West Bengal bypolls. The Banerjee-led faction rejected the order as "contrary to law" while the rebel Ritabrata Banerjee-led bloc welcomed it. In a major blow to the party’s political identity, Banerjee’s hand-drawn symbol has been temporarily removed from EVMs for the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar. Neither faction has been permitted to use the symbol or the All India Trinamool Congress name. The former West Bengal chief minister funded the TMC in 1998. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, a loyalist of the former chief minister, said they did not accept the order. "This order is contrary to law. We are not accepting it, as there are so many legal infirmities. Facts have not been placed in the order. But at times you have to accept things which may not be in adherence to norms, rules and law for a temporary period. We will give our answer and let you know by tomorrow at 11 am," he said.
Rebel Camp's Reaction:
TMC MLA Akhruzzaman Ansari, a leader of the rebel camp, said they would abide by the interim arrangement, expressing confidence that they would eventually get the party's "original" name and symbol.
"We accept the order by the EC. Obviously, we wanted the twin-flower-on-grass symbol. But the EC for the time being has given an interim order. We are confident that when the EC gives its final verdict, we will get the official and original name and symbol of the party," said Ansari, who is the opposition chief whip in the assembly.
Here's What EC Said In Its Interim Order:
The EC said it had found two rival groups claiming to be the All India Trinamool Congress and required determination under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Pending its decision, neither faction will be allowed to use the name "All India Trinamool Congress" or the reserved "Flowers and Grass" symbol in the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls, the poll panel said.
The EC has asked both groups to submit, by 11 am on September 18, three names in order of preference and symbols from its list of free symbols. They may retain a reference to their parent party in the names they propose.
According to the Election Commission's notification, both the Mamata Banerjee and the Ritabrata Banerjee factions must submit the following:
- Three preferred names, in order of preference, for recognition by the Commission.
- Three preferred free symbols, in order of preference, for their candidates.
The Commission will approve one name and one symbol for each group.
TMC Infighting:
The infighting in the party began after the defeat in the 2026 assembly elections. Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee argued that the mandate of Mamata Banerjee’s National Working Committee expired on February 11, 2025, rendering subsequent decisions and appointments void.
However, the Mamata Banerjee-led group rejected the claim.
(With inputs from PTI)
