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TMC identity fight intensifies ahead of Bengal bypolls. (Img: Pinterest)
New Delhi: A major political and legal battle erupted between TMC President Mamata Banerjee and the Election Commission of India on Saturday after the Trinamool Congress founder approached the Supreme Court challenging the freezing of the party’s original name and iconic Flowers & Grass election symbol.
The dispute created uncertainty over the identity of one of West Bengal’s biggest political organisations, with rival factions claiming control over the All India Trinamool Congress name, organisational structure and electoral recognition. The controversy comes ahead of the crucial West Bengal Assembly by-elections scheduled for October 6.
Mamata Banerjee has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s interim order that stopped both rival factions from using the original All India Trinamool Congress name and the reserved Flowers & Grass symbol.
The petition was filed on September 18 and names the Election Commission of India and the rival faction led by West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee as respondents.
The former West Bengal chief minister has challenged the poll panel’s decision, arguing that the freezing of the party’s original identity has created a major political and organisational challenge. The matter is yet to be formally numbered and registered before the apex court.
The Election Commission issued its interim order after rival groups submitted claims over control of the Trinamool Congress party, its name, symbol and organisational authority.
After hearing representatives from both sides, the poll panel directed both factions to temporarily use separate names and free symbols until a final decision is taken.
The Election Commission’s move is an interim arrangement and does not determine which faction will ultimately retain the original TMC identity.
The final decision will be examined under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which deals with disputes over party recognition and election symbols.
Following the Election Commission’s direction, both factions were asked to suggest alternative names and symbols for the upcoming bypolls. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress along with the Football Player election symbol.
The rival faction was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol. The temporary arrangement will remain in place during the election process until the Election Commission reaches a final conclusion on the ownership dispute.
The dispute marks one of the biggest challenges faced by the Trinamool Congress since its formation. The internal conflict reportedly intensified after differences emerged within the party’s legislative structure following political setbacks.
The disagreement later expanded beyond the West Bengal Assembly, creating divisions among party representatives at the national level. The battle over the election symbol has now moved beyond party corridors and reached the Supreme Court, turning into a legal contest over TMC’s political legacy.
The Election Commission’s order has gained importance because it comes just before the October 6 Assembly by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies. The Nandigram seat became vacant after Suvendu Adhikari won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur and later chose to vacate one constituency.
The Rejinagar seat was also vacated after AJUP leader Humayun Kabir won from multiple constituencies and decided to give up the seat. The upcoming bypolls will test how both factions perform while operating under separate names and symbols.
In Indian elections, party symbols play a crucial role in voter recognition, especially among grassroots supporters. The Flowers & Grass symbol has been closely associated with the Trinamool Congress since its rise as a major political force in West Bengal.
For political parties, retaining an established symbol often represents continuity, organisational strength and decades of electoral identity. The temporary freezing of the symbol has created a significant challenge for the competing factions.
The Supreme Court’s response to Mamata Banerjee’s petition will determine the next stage of the legal battle. The outcome of the court proceedings and the West Bengal by-elections could have a major impact on the future direction of the Trinamool Congress and state politics.
