The Election Commission has temporarily frozen the Trinamool Congress (TMC) name and its reserved twin-flowers-on-grass election symbol for both rival factions ahead of the October 6 West Bengal Assembly bypolls. This interim order follows a dispute between factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee over control of the party and its organisational structure.
The dispute began reaching the EC in July, with both sides claiming control of the TMC. The poll panel examined issues including the party’s organisational control, authorised signatories, assets, name, and election symbol. Both factions presented their positions during hearings. The Mamata faction argued she remains party chairperson and that the national working committee’s five-year term is still valid. The rival faction maintained that the party constitution specifies a three-year term, which it said expired in February 2025.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal strongly criticised the EC’s decision, particularly its late-night timing, linking it politically to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. He alleged the move disadvantages the Mamata-led faction and demanded the two-leaves symbol be restored. The interim freeze affects both factions’ ability to contest the upcoming bypolls under the established TMC name and symbol. However, the broader dispute over party control remains unresolved.
