New Delhi: In a massive political development ahead of the upcoming West Bengal assembly bypolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has frozen the official name and the iconic “two flowers on grass top” election symbol of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The interim order effectively bars both the Mamata Banerjee-led faction and the rival group led by Ritabrata Banerjee from using the party’s original identity.
The poll panel has directed both warring factions to select new party names and will allot them separate symbols for the October 6 by-elections in the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly constituencies. The decision was announced after both camps submitted competing claims to the EC regarding control of the party’s organisational structure and authorised signatories.
The severe intra-party dispute came to the forefront on June 22, when rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee convened a meeting and announced the formation of a new National Working Committee, electing Arup Roy as its chairperson. The rebel faction claimed that the party was facing a “constitutional crisis,” arguing that the previous committee formed in February 2022 had completed its three-year tenure in February 2025 without being renewed.
Conversely, the faction led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vehemently rejected these claims. They argued that the rival group was relying on an outdated constitutional provision while completely ignoring subsequent amendments. The Mamata camp further asserted that the strict multi-tier process required for forming organisational committees was bypassed during the June 22 rebel meeting.
With both factions fielding candidates for the crucial bypolls and attempting to use the official TMC symbol, the Election Commission was forced to intervene. Following separate hearings with delegations from both sides on Thursday, the EC decided to freeze the symbol to ensure a level playing field until a final resolution is reached.
The Election Commission’s decision has triggered sharp political reactions across the spectrum. Throwing its weight behind Mamata Banerjee, the Congress party strongly condemned the move. Congress leader KC Venugopal targeted the BJP-led central government and the EC, sarcastically terming the order as a “late-night birthday gift to Modi ji” and demanding the immediate restoration of the symbol to the Mamata Banerjee faction.
As the factions scramble to secure new names and temporary symbols, the political landscape in West Bengal is bracing for an unprecedented electoral battle where the traditional TMC banner will be notably absent.