Published Sep 18, 2026 | 4:32 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 18, 2026 | 4:32 PM
The Mamata-led faction registered strong protest against the ECI order.
The Election Commission of India on Friday, September 18, allotted new symbols and names to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and its rebel faction, a day after it barred both the groups from using the party’s official name and symbol.
The ECI issued an interim order on September 17 directing that the party’s official name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ (AITC) and its ‘Flower and Grass’ symbol cannot be used by both the groups until the leadership dispute is resolved. The order was issued in the context of the upcoming bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal scheduled for October 6.
The Trinamool Congress, led by former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, has been allotted the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ and the symbol ‘Football player’. It would be recognised as a political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura, the ECI said.
The TMC rebel faction led by West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee has been allotted the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Envelope’ symbol. It will also be a recognised political outfit in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.
In its September 17 order, the ECI had asked the groups to submit three preferred names and symbols to be used for the upcoming polls. The order was issued after the ECI heard the submissions made by both the groups and will remain in place until the leadership dispute is resolved.
The Mamata-led faction registered strong protest against the ECI order, while the Bengal BJP called it “divine justice.”
The issue stemmed from a rebellion within the TMC following its defeat in the Assembly elections. The rebellion was led by Ritabrata Banerjee, a first-time MLA, who managed to secure the support of 60 of the party’s 80 MLAs in the state Assembly and was elected Leader of the Opposition.
The Ritarba-led faction then sought recognition as the “real TMC” and claimed that his group had removed Mamata as the party chief and elected MLA Arup Roy as the new leader. However, Mamata’s supporters continued to recognise her as the party supremo.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
