Mamata vs Ritabrata: Who Will Get The Real TMC Identity? (Img: Google)
New Delhi: The Election Commission will hear both factions of the Trinamool Congress on Saturday after a bitter internal dispute erupted over the party’s identity, leadership and election symbol. With West Bengal Assembly by-elections scheduled for October 6, both groups have approached the poll body claiming to represent the "real TMC".
The hearing has added a new twist to the political battle in West Bengal, where the ownership of the party name and symbol could become crucial for candidates contesting the upcoming bypolls.
The Election Commission’s decision will be closely watched as it may determine which faction gets legal recognition and control over the Trinamool Congress identity.
The Election Commission will hear the rival factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee regarding their claims over the party and its election symbol.
According to the schedule, the Ritabrata faction will appear before the Commission at 11 am, while the Mamata Banerjee-led faction will present its side at 12 noon. Both groups have been asked to provide a list of five leaders who will represent their respective sides during the hearing.
The move comes after both factions submitted claims regarding control of the party, forcing the Election Commission to examine documents, support numbers and organisational records.
The Election Commission hearing gains importance as by-elections for Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats in West Bengal are scheduled for October 6. Both factions are expected to make their claim over the TMC name and symbol, which holds major electoral value for candidates and voters.
The dispute over the party symbol has created uncertainty within the organisation, with both groups attempting to establish their legitimacy before the poll authority. For political parties, recognition of the official symbol plays a major role during elections as it helps voters identify candidates and strengthens campaign visibility.
The internal crisis in the Trinamool Congress started becoming visible after the party faced defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections held in May this year.
Following the electoral setback, a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee claimed that it represented the “real Trinamool Congress” and sought control over the party organisation.
The faction claimed support from around 60 out of 80 TMC MLAs and used its numerical strength to challenge the existing leadership structure. With the support of two-thirds of the MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee became the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
The Ritabrata-led faction had earlier approached the Election Commission in Delhi on July 1, staking its claim over the Trinamool Congress name and symbol. Following the petition, the Election Commission asked both sides to submit their responses and supporting documents.
The Mamata Banerjee faction rejected the rival claim and argued that the organisational changes announced by the opposing group were not valid. The faction maintained that the existing party committees continue to remain valid until 2027 and questioned the authority of the rival group to make organisational decisions.
The Election Commission’s hearing has now turned into a major political development in West Bengal, where the future structure of the Trinamool Congress remains under scrutiny.
The dispute is not only about the election symbol but also about control over the party organisation, leadership authority and political direction ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
Political observers believe the Election Commission’s decision could have a major impact on the balance of power within the party and the larger political landscape of West Bengal.
The Commission will examine the claims made by both factions before deciding on the ownership of the Trinamool Congress name and symbol. The decision process may involve scrutiny of organisational documents, legislative support, party constitution and evidence submitted by both sides.
As the October 6 by-elections to Nandigram and Rejinagar approach, the symbol dispute has become one of the biggest political challenges facing the Trinamool Congress. The outcome of the EC hearing could determine not only the future of the party symbol but also the direction of Bengal politics in the coming months.
