ECI reserves TMC symbol amid dispute; asks Mamata, Ritabrata factions to pick new names, symbols ahead of bypolls

The Election Commission of India said the decision was aimed at placing both groups on an “even keel” and protecting their rights and interests.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday barred the two factions of the All India Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee respectively, from using the party name and its reserved "Flowers and Grass" symbol for the October 6 bypolls in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats and Assam’s Nagaon parliamentary seat.

Both factions asked to submit preferred names, symbols by Sept 18

The commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, directed both factions to submit three preferred temporary group names and three choices from the list of free symbols by 11am on Friday. The 14-page interim order clarified that both sides could retain a visual or textual linkage to the parent party in their temporary group names.

Also Read | TMC factions gear up for Bengal bypolls amid fight over symbol

The commission said the interim measure was issued to place "both the rival groups on even keel and to protect their rights and interests" until a final decision is reached.

Candidates from the rival factions had earlier submitted conflicting Form-B nomination papers under the TMC banner for the bye-elections in West Bengal and Assam.

ECI noted that the restriction on using the party’s primary name and symbol will remain in force until it delivers a final verdict on the competing claims under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order, 1968.

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Thursday’s order came after the three-member commission, which also includes Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, held back-to-back hearings in New Delhi. A delegation led by Arup Roy and Ritabrata Banerjee met the panel at 3pm, followed by a delegation representing Mamata Banerjee led by Kalyan Banerjee at 4pm.

The commission had previously met both groups on September 12.

Without ruling on the merits of the organisational dispute, the poll panel stated that substantive determination of the claims would take time and could not be completed before the ongoing bypoll schedule.

How did the dispute begin?

The dispute stems from a challenge raised by rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee, who argued that the mandate of Mamata Banerjee’s National Working Committee expired on February 11, 2025, rendering subsequent decisions and appointments void. The Mamata Banerjee-led group rejected the claim, contending that the rival faction relied on outdated constitutional provisions while ignoring later amendments submitted to the commission.

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