Mamata Banerjee moves Supreme Court against EC order to freeze TMC name, symbol

The Trinamool Congress camp led by Mamata Banerjee has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s interim decision to freeze the party’s name and its traditional Flowers & Grass symbol, escalating the factional battle within the TMC ahead of the West Bengal Assembly bypolls.The petition questions the poll panel’s decision to deny the Mamata-led faction the use of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) name and reserved symbol and instead require both rival groups to choose separate names and symbols for the upcoming contests.The plea contends that the Election Commission did not adequately examine the TMC’s organisational structure while considering the rival claims to the party’s identity.It also questions the reliance placed on statements and submissions made by rebel MPs and MLAs, arguing that disqualification petitions against several of these legislators are still pending before the West Bengal Assembly Speaker.Mamata’s faction has challenged the EC order as an interim measure that prevents both groups from using the established TMC identity in the bypolls.Under the Commission’s directions, the rival factions have been asked to submit three choices each for a new party name and three choices from the list of free election symbols.The factions have also been given the option of retaining a reference to the parent organisation, All India Trinamool Congress, in the names they propose.ON DELAY IN REBEL MLAS' DISQUALIFICATIONThe Mamata-led camp has filed another petition in the Supreme Court, this time questioning the alleged delay by the West Bengal Assembly Speaker in deciding disqualification petitions against 10 rebel MLAs.The petition also challenges the recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly.THE BITTER TMC SPLITThe legal challenge comes against the backdrop of a bitter organisational dispute that intensified after the TMC’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.Ritabrata Banerjee, a first-time MLA who was later expelled from the TMC, emerged as the principal figure in the rebellion.

In June, he claimed the support of around 60 of the party’s 80 MLAs, with the legislators backing his claim to lead the TMC legislature party.The rebel legislators maintained that Mamata remained their overall leader but sought changes in the party’s functioning and objected to the influence of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.The dispute subsequently widened from differences over the party’s functioning to a direct contest for control of its organisational machinery and legal identity.RITABRATA FACTION'S OPEN REBELLIONBy June 22, the Ritabrata-led faction claimed to have removed Mamata as TMC chairperson and appointed senior MLA Arup Roy as chairperson of what it called the "real TMC".

Mamata’s supporters rejected the move and continued to recognise her as the party chief.Both camps subsequently approached the Election Commission with documents and claims seeking recognition as the legitimate TMC.The dispute assumed greater urgency with the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar approaching. The EC heard representatives of both sides and sought their final submissions before issuing its interim order.The Commission’s decision means neither faction can presently contest the bypolls using the TMC name or Flowers & Grass symbol.

The order does not finally determine which group is entitled to the party’s established identity and remains limited to the forthcoming electoral exercise.With the Supreme Court now seized of Mamata’s challenge, the immediate focus will be on the court proceedings as well as the arrangements for the October bypolls.The separate plea concerning the rebel MLAs’ disqualification could also bring the Assembly Speaker’s handling of the petitions under judicial scrutiny, adding another legal dimension to the ongoing TMC factional dispute.- EndsPublished By: Vivek Published On: Sep 18, 2026 23:24 IST