Election Commission Freezes Trinamool Congress Name and Symbol Amid Party Split

The Trinamool Congress, a major political force in West Bengal, faced internal turmoil as rival factions emerged within the party. The split became public when both groups, one led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Ritabrata Banerjee, began staking claim to the party's name and symbol.

Concerns over financial transactions related to election contests added to the tensions. The Election Commission of India decided it needed to intervene to resolve the dispute over party control and representation.

On September 16, 2026, the Election Commission called both factions of the Trinamool Congress for a hearing to address the ongoing conflict and discuss related financial matters. The hearing was scheduled for September 17.

During the hearing, the Election Commission issued an interim order temporarily freezing the use of the party's official name and symbol by either faction. This meant that neither group could use the All India Trinamool Congress identity or its well-known 'flowers and grass' symbol in the upcoming assembly bypolls in West Bengal.

Both groups were instructed to submit alternative names and symbols for use in the October 6 bypolls. Mamata Banerjee's faction, among others, complied with the directive and proposed new identities under protest.

By September 18, the Election Commission had completed its review and officially allotted new names and symbols to both factions. The Mamata Banerjee camp became 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' with a football player symbol, while the rival group led by Ritabrata Banerjee received its own new identity and symbol.

As of now, both Trinamool Congress factions are barred from using the original party name and symbol in the West Bengal bypolls. Each group will contest the elections under a new name and symbol assigned by the Election Commission.

The underlying dispute over party control and the right to the original name and symbol has not been resolved. Further hearings and decisions are anticipated as the Election Commission continues to consider the claims of both camps.

The next steps will depend on the Election Commission's final decision regarding which faction, if any, will regain the Trinamool Congress name and symbol. The outcome of the upcoming bypolls and the ongoing legal and political battle between the rival camps are likely to shape the party's future in West Bengal politics.