Fight for TMC's symbol: EC to hear rival factions on Thursday ahead of Bengal bypolls

The Election Commission has not formally declared that there is a dispute over the TMC's organisational control. However, it is examining competing claims over the party's existing organisational structure and authorised signatories.

The Election Commission (EC) is set to hear rival factions of the Trinamool Congress on Thursday over the party’s “two flowers on grass top” election symbol, amid a dispute over which group is authorised to use it in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls.

The EC has asked the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee to remain present at 3 pm, while a five-member delegation of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction has been called at 4 pm, sources said.

The poll body is likely to pass an interim order on the symbol after both sides submitted documents backing their respective claims. The development comes as rival factions have fielded candidates for the October 6 bypolls to the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats, with both using the official TMC symbol.

The EC has not formally declared that there is a dispute over the TMC’s organisational control. However, it is examining competing claims over the party’s existing organisational structure and authorised signatories.

The Wednesday deadline was significant as both factions were required to submit documents supporting their claims. It was also the last date for filing nomination papers for the bypolls.

The nominations will be scrutinised on Thursday. Given the approaching bypolls, the EC is expected to take an interim or ad hoc decision on the symbol, officials indicated.

One possibility is that the symbol could be allotted to one faction. It could also be frozen or withheld from both sides, while the EC considers other options, according to officials.

The organisational dispute dates back to June 22, when Ritabrata Banerjee convened a meeting of rebel leaders and announced the formation of a new National Working Committee. Arup Roy was elected its chairperson.

Ritabrata claimed that the party was facing a “constitutional crisis”, citing Article 20 of the TMC Constitution. He argued that the National Working Committee must be constituted every three years and that the committee formed in February 2022 had completed its tenure in February 2025 without being renewed.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction, however, has rejected this contention. It has argued that the rival group was relying on an outdated provision while ignoring subsequent amendments to the party constitution.

The Mamata-led faction has also disputed the rival group’s claims about the composition of the party. It said public notices were issued during the organisational election process and that all MPs and MLAs were made members of the All India Trinamool Congress.

The party has further argued that the June 22 meeting could not amount to a valid organisational exercise because the prescribed multi-tier process for constituting organisational committees was not followed.

The Ritabrata-led faction has maintained that its June 22 meeting was conducted in accordance with the party constitution and has said the EC should decide which side is legitimate.