Kolkata, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued an interim order freezing the name and reserved election symbol of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), barring both rival factions from using them in the upcoming West Bengal bypolls.
The order follows the dispute between the factions led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ritabrata Banerjee over control of the party and the right to use its name and “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
The Commission said both groups would have to contest the relevant bypolls under separate names and symbols until a final decision is taken on the dispute. The interim arrangement is intended to place the rival groups on an “even keel” and protect their respective rights and interests, according to the Commission.
The ECI directed both factions to submit three preferred names and three choices of free symbols by 11 a.m. on September 18. The Commission will allot separate names and symbols from the options submitted by the two groups.
The decision comes ahead of the October 6 bypolls, including contests in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal. The freeze means neither faction can use the existing TMC name or its reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol in those contests.
The Commission’s full bench heard delegations from both factions at its headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday before issuing the interim order. The dispute will require a substantive determination under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, with the final entitlement to the party’s name and symbol yet to be decided.
Reacting to the order, senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee described the decision as unconstitutional and said the Mamata Banerjee-led faction did not accept it. He said the group would take whatever steps were required while complying with the immediate electoral requirements.
“We are not accepting this order,” Kalyan Banerjee said, adding that the faction had the option of selecting a symbol before the 11 a.m. deadline.
On the other side, TMC legislator Akhruzzaman welcomed the ECI’s decision and expressed confidence that his faction would eventually secure the party name and symbol.
The dispute over the TMC’s organisational control and electoral identity has intensified ahead of the bypolls, with both sides claiming to represent the party.
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