The Election Commission has frozen the name and election symbol of Trinamool Congress (TMC). The Commission has issued its interim order on the ongoing symbol dispute in TMS ahead of the by-elections on 2 seats in West Bengal. Let us tell you that after facing defeat in the April 2026 assembly elections, the party has divided into two parts. One of them is led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Arup Roy. The rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee has made Arup Roy the chairman of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).
By-elections are to be held on two assembly seats Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal. Both the groups fielded their candidates in the name of Trinamool Congress, which created confusion. For this reason, on September 17, 2026, the Election Commission completely froze the name and symbol of the party, that is, both the groups will not be able to use the name and symbol of Trinamool Congress in this election.
In the interim order of the Election Commission, Mamata Banerjee's faction has been named 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' (MAITC) and the symbol 'Football Player'. Arup Roy's group has been given the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' (DTC) and the symbol 'Lifafa'.
Also read: Sometimes recovered and sometimes destroyed, the story of the election symbols that get frozen.
What is the whole controversy?
Trinamool Congress broke up after losing the assembly elections in April 2026. Protesting the appointment of Shobhandev Chattopadhyay to the post of Leader of Opposition, 59 MLAs had elected Ritabrata Banerjee as their leader. Later the party expelled Ritabrata Banerjee and MLA Sandipan Saha from the party on charges of signature forgery. After this, the Ritabrata faction, calling itself the real Trinamool Congress, captured the party office in July.
Both Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee reached the Election Commission laying claim on the party's name and election symbol. Now, before the by-election, the Election Commission has frozen the party's name and 'Phool-Ghas' election symbol and asked both the groups to give three options each for the new name and symbol, while the final decision on this entire controversy has been reached.
Now the name of Mamata Banerjee faction has been kept as 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' (MAITC) and the symbol has been kept as 'Football Player'. Arup Roy's group has been given the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' (DTC) and the symbol 'Lifafa'.
TMC name and election symbol controversy, when and what happened?
- April 2026: TMC suffered a crushing defeat in the assembly elections.
- May-June 2026: There was opposition to the appointment of Shobhandev Chattopadhyay to the post of Leader of Opposition and 59 MLAs chose Ritabrata Banerjee as their leader.
- June 2026: TMC expels Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha from the party on charges of signature forgery.
- July 2026: Ritabrata faction called itself the real TMC and captured the party office and locked it.
- 16 September 2026: Last date of by-election, both the groups fielded candidates in the name of TMC.
- 17 September 2026: Hearing held in Election Commission in Delhi
- 18 September 2026: Election Commission freezes TMC's name and symbol, asks both the groups for 3-3 options for new name-symbol.
Now Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress will be recognized as a recognized political party in the states of West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura and its name has been kept as 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and symbol 'Football Player'. Arup Roy's group has been given the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and the symbol 'Lifafa'.
Who is involved in this controversy?
Mamata Banerjee is the original leader of Trinamool Congress and also the founder of the party. On the other side is Ritabrata Banerjee, who is the leader of the rebel group. Ritabrata separated with 59 MLAs in the assembly. Along with Sandipan Saha, who along with Ritabrata Banerjee was expelled from the party on charges of signature forgery. Shobhandev Chattopadhyay was elected Leader of Opposition by the party leadership, whose appointment was opposed. Election Commission of India (ECI), where the decision came after hearing the claims of both the groups.
Where did this controversy start?
Let us tell you that this controversy started from West Bengal Assembly, Kolkata, after the defeat in the assembly elections, the party leadership appointed Shobhandev Chattopadhyay for the post of Leader of Opposition, protesting against which 59 MLAs under the leadership of Ritabrata Banerjee rebelled and declared themselves a separate faction. After this, both the groups reached the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi laying claim on the name and election symbol of the party, where a hearing was held on 17 September 2026 and on 18 September the Commission gave an interim order to freeze the name and election symbol of the party.
How was the dispute resolved?
Let us tell you that to resolve this entire dispute, the Election Commission used Para 15 of the 'Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968', this legal provision gives the Commission the right to decide on the real faction and its symbol in case of a split in a recognized party. However, this is not the final decision, the Election Commission has clearly said that the final decision on the dispute between the two groups is still pending and at present the names and election symbols have been allotted.