What’s in a Name? Trinamool Congress Faces Split Ahead of Crucial Bypolls

The Trinamool Congress is experiencing a significant split as factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy adopt new names and symbols ahead of the upcoming bypolls in West Bengal. The Election Commission has intervened, directing both sides to refrain from using the party's traditional name and symbol. This internal conflict follows a rebellion within the party after recent electoral defeats, marking a pivotal moment in its 28-year history. With bypolls scheduled for October 6, the stakes are high as the party navigates this unprecedented challenge.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 18, 2026, 15:27 IST

Trinamool Congress Divided Ahead of Bypolls

New Delhi: The faction of the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee has officially adopted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress', while the opposing faction under Arup Roy will be known as 'Democratic Trinamool Congress'. This decision comes as the state prepares for by-elections on October 6 for two Assembly seats in West Bengal, as per an announcement from the Election Commission.

The Election Commission has assigned the 'Football Player' symbol to Mamata's faction, whereas Roy's group will use the 'Envelope' as their election emblem.

In a recent interim directive, the Election Commission instructed both factions, embroiled in a dispute over the use of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name, to refrain from using the party's name and its 'Jora Ghash Phul' symbol during the upcoming bypolls. They were required to submit their preferred names and symbols by Friday morning.

The Commission indicated that the proposed names could resemble AITC, but the symbols must be selected from a list of available options designated for Independents and unrecognized political parties.

The bypolls for Nandigram in East Medinipur and Rejinagar in Murshidabad are set for October 6, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 9.

The Election Commission noted that there was insufficient time to complete the procedures outlined in Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, but acknowledged the urgency for establishing party names and symbols for the by-elections.

This interim arrangement is intended solely for the upcoming bypolls and will remain effective until the dispute is resolved under the Symbols Order.

This decision by the Election Commission follows a significant rebellion within the TMC legislature after their defeat in the Assembly elections in May, which subsequently extended to the Parliament.

In June, 58 rebel MLAs elected the expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee as the opposition leader in the Bengal Assembly, bypassing the nominee from Mamata's camp, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, and received recognition from the Speaker, marking the first split in the party's 28-year history.

Shortly thereafter, the dissent reached Parliament, with 20 Lok Sabha MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, joining the lesser-known NCPI and expressing support for the BJP-led NDA as a 'separate bloc', further deepening the division within the party's parliamentary ranks.

This situation poses a significant challenge for Mamata Banerjee, as her hand-drawn symbol has been integral to the TMC's identity since its inception in 1998, following its split from Congress.

The symbol has served as a powerful representation of the party's grassroots identity for nearly three decades.

The need for these bypolls arose after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari won in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, opting to vacate Nandigram, while AJUP leader Humayun Kabir won in both Naoda and Rejinagar, choosing to relinquish the Rejinagar seat.