The Election Commission has barred both TMC factions from using the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and the “grass flower” symbol for the Nandigram and Rajnagar assembly by-electionsBoth sides have been asked to provide alternative names and symbols.
Published: September 18, 2026, 3:03 PM IST
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Mamata Banerjee’s party will now be called ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’, gets Football Player symbol (PTI pic)
A new twist has emerged in the ongoing dispute over the name and symbol of the All India Trinamool CongressThe ongoing battle within the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal over the name and symbol has reached a new turning pointAhead of the upcoming assembly by-elections, the Election Commission has decided on separate names and symbols for the two rival factionsThe faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” along with the “Football Player” symbolThe faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
The matter is related to the factional dispute within the Trinamool CongressFollowing the Election Commission’s interim order, the process of assigning separate names and election symbols to both parties for the upcoming by-elections has begunThe Commission had requested three options from each faction, giving them until 11 a.mFridayMamata Banerjee’s response included a protest against the Commission’s order and three optionsThe Commission will now have to decide on these options.
Some parties within the All India Alliance, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, have questioned the Election Commission’s decisionCongress leaders Pawan Khera and KC Venugopal have also expressed their objection to the Commission’s order.
The Election Commission, in an interim order issued on September 17, 2026, barred both factions from using the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and its traditional “grass flower” election symbol for the Nandigram and Rajnagar assembly by-electionsThe Commission took this action under paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968According to the order, both parties have been asked to provide alternative names and election symbols.
