TMC Vs TMC: EC Freezes Party Name, Symbol For Both Factions Ahead Of Bengal Bypolls

Last Updated:September 17, 2026, 10:17 PM IST

The EC has barred both rival TMC factions from using the party name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol in the upcoming bye-elections until a final decision on the organisational dispute.

Mamata vs Ritabrata: TMC Symbol Battle Reaches Election Commission.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday barred both rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress from using the party’s name and its reserved “Flowers & Grass” symbol for the upcoming bye elections, pending a final determination of the organisational dispute.

In an interim order, the Commission said there are two rival groups in the All India Trinamool Congress, one led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Shri Arup Roy, with both claiming to be the party.

The Commission ordered that neither group would be permitted to use the name “All India Trinamool Congress” simplicitor. It also said neither group would be allowed to use the “Flowers & Grass” symbol, which is the reserved symbol of the All India Trinamool Congress.

Instead, the two groups can choose separate names for their respective organisations. The Commission said they may also choose names that retain a linkage with their parent party, “All India Trinamool Congress”.

For the bye elections, both groups will also be allotted different symbols from the free symbols notified by the Election Commission. The order is intended to remain in force until the Commission makes a final determination of the dispute under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968.

The Commission has directed both factions to submit their preferred names and symbols by 11:00 AM on September 18, 2026. Each group has been asked to provide three name options in order of preference and three free symbols, also in order of preference. The Commission will approve one name and allot one symbol to each group.

The order comes ahead of the ongoing bye elections, with the Commission noting that there was not enough time to complete the proceedings under Para 15 but that the dispute over the use of the party name and symbol required an urgent interim arrangement

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Why did the Election Commission freeze the All India Trinamool Congress name and symbol?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) froze the party name and its reserved “Flowers & Grass” symbol due to an ongoing organizational dispute between two rival factions claiming to be the real party. One faction is led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Shri Arup Roy. Because there was not enough time to complete the final dispute proceedings under Para 15 of the Election Symbols Order before the upcoming bye elections, the Commission issued an urgent interim arrangement to bar both groups from using the original name and symbol.

What are the guidelines for the TMC factions to choose new names and symbols for the bye elections?

Both factions are permitted to choose separate names that can retain a linkage with their parent party, “All India Trinamool Congress”. For symbols, they must select different options from the free symbols notified by the Election Commission. Each group must submit three name options and three free symbols, listed in order of preference, for the Commission to approve and allot one of each.

What is the deadline for the rival TMC factions to submit their preferred names and symbols to the ECI?

The Election Commission of India has directed both rival factions to submit their preferred names and free symbols by 11:00 AM on September 18, 2026.

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Anushka Vats

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More

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