Amid the ongoing controversy over the name and election symbol of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee faction has sent three alternative party names and three free symbol options to the Election Commission. In these, football, prayer and cricket bat have been suggested as election symbols with the option of adding Mamata Banerjee's name to the party's name.
Tezzbuzz Desk The controversy regarding the name and election symbol of Trinamool Congress continues in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction has sent three new party names and three election symbol options to the Election Commission. According to sources, the Mamata camp has informed the Commission about its choice through email.
It is being told that the options for the name of the party include names like 'Trinamool Mamata Congress' and 'All India Trinamool Congress Mamata'. The options for election symbols have been given as football, prayer and cricket bat. Information has also come to light that the slogan 'Khela Hobe' was sent along with the cricket bat as an option.
Ritabrata Banerjee, who is leading the rebel faction of TMC, has also confirmed that his faction has sent three names and three election symbol options to the Election Commission. Now the Commission has to take a decision on these options.
Actually, the Election Commission had asked both the groups to give three alternative names and three free election symbols each. This arrangement has been implemented on an interim basis in view of the upcoming by-elections. The final decision on the original name of the party and the reserved election symbol of flower-grass will be taken after the completion of the ongoing proceedings under Para 15 of the Commission.
The dispute started after the West Bengal Assembly elections over organizational rights within the party. After this, claims came to light between both the parties on TMC's name, party funds and election symbol. Ritabrata Banerjee faction has raised questions regarding the tenure of the National Working Committee of the party.
According to the rebel group, the National Working Committee was formed in February 2022 and its three-year tenure ended in February 2025. On this basis, the group raised questions on the validity of the existing organizational structure and demanded the formation of a new committee.
A meeting of rebel leaders was held on 22 June 2026. In this meeting, it was claimed that Arup Roy was elected as the chairperson of the National Working Committee. After this, the Ritabrata faction claimed rights over the party's name and election symbol, claiming itself to be the real TMC before the Election Commission.
Mamata Banerjee faction did not accept these claims. Mamata's camp says that the rebel leaders have misinterpreted the party constitution and the June 22 meeting cannot be considered a legitimate organizational process. The group claims that the process of organizational elections and formation of committees has been done as per the party constitution.
This controversy became more important after the announcement of by-elections on Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats. Both the groups became active in election activities on these seats and started asserting their rights over the party name and flower-grass election symbol.
After this, the Election Commission asked for documents related to the organization, officials and authorized representatives from both the parties. After giving both the groups an opportunity to present their views, the Commission issued an interim order on September 17.
According to the interim order of the Commission, at present neither of the two groups will be allowed to use the name 'All India Trinamool Congress' and the reserved election symbol of flower-grass. Both parties will be allotted separate names and free election symbols for the upcoming by-elections.
However, this arrangement is not the final decision. The final process of the Election Commission on which group will have the actual rights over the party's name, organization and election symbol is still going on.