New Delhi, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Thursday a petition filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) interim decision to freeze the party’s original name and reserved election symbol amid a dispute between rival factions.
The matter is listed before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The petition has been listed as a fresh civil matter for admission.
Banerjee has challenged the ECI’s decision to temporarily bar both factions from using the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and the reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol. The poll panel took the step after rival groups staked claim to the party’s organisational identity.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, had sought urgent listing of the plea before the CJI on Monday. He argued that the ECI had frozen the symbol after the notification for the by-elections had already been issued. The Supreme Court subsequently agreed to list the matter urgently.
The ECI has said that the dispute requires substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. As an interim arrangement, it barred both factions from using the established party name and symbol and directed them to submit alternative choices for the upcoming by-elections.
The Commission subsequently allotted the Mamata Banerjee-led faction the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol. The rival faction was allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
The temporary arrangement applies to the October 6 by-elections in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies. The ECI’s order is an interim measure pending a substantive determination of the dispute.
Banerjee has challenged the freezing of the established party identity and symbol, while the rival camp has separately claimed control over the party’s organisational and legislative structures.
The dispute has also extended to Parliament, with rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary group after aligning themselves with another political formation. The Banerjee-led faction has challenged the delay in deciding disqualification petitions against the MPs and has argued that they were elected on the party’s symbol.
The rival faction, meanwhile, has claimed the support of more than two-thirds of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs and sought recognition as a separate parliamentary group.
The organisational dispute subsequently reached the Election Commission, with both sides staking claim to the party name and election symbol. The poll panel has said its interim arrangement is intended to protect the interests of both groups until a final decision is taken.
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