TMC symbol dispute: Mamata and Ritabrata factions await final EC verdict

The battle over the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party symbol took both factions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) twice within a week. After the last meeting on Saturday, the Ritabrata Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee factions presented their cases again on Thursday, in what is seen as the final meeting before the EC decides who can use the party symbol.

“As far as symbol allotment is concerned, we submitted the form; Kalighat Trinamool also submitted Form A&B. Hence, the Election Commission has to take a decision. We are the Trinamool Congress, we have submitted a form. We requested that as Nandigram and Rejinagar elections are nearing, it is important to take a decision. We cannot dictate to the Election Commission,” said Ritabrata Banerjee.

With the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls scheduled for October 6, the question of who has the right to use the party symbol has assumed significance. Thursday was also the last date for scrutiny of candidates’ nomination papers, and the nominations of candidates from both TMC factions have been put on hold.

The Ritabrata faction, however, is confident of securing the party symbol and is awaiting the EC’s decision, maintaining that it cannot dictate terms to the poll body.

“I am confident the decision will be in our favour,” said Ritabrata, whose faction was the first to meet EC officials at 3 pm.

The Mamata faction’s meeting with ECI officials took place an hour later. The delegation arrived and waited for its turn to be heard. The meeting lasted for 90 minutes, during which the faction argued that Mamata was elected chairperson for a five-year term and that the next election, as per the party constitution, is due on January 31, 2027.

The Ritabrata faction, however, claims that Mamata’s tenure as chairperson became invalid after her term ended in 2025.

“The symbol has been issued by Mamata Banerjee. On her promise, they (Ritabrata faction MLAs) have been elected. When you accepted, then why are you saying this?” questioned Kalyan Banerjee.

Kalyan further alleged that Ritabrata was present at the AITC meetings on May 19 and June 6, after which the latter wrote a letter to the Assembly speaker stating that they were a bloc of the AITC.

“In AITC’s bloc, AITC is representative. The whole issue started with a mala fide reason because you are not chosen as an opposition leader by the party itself. That is the reason he has done this,” said Kalyan Banerjee.

The EC is expected to reach a decision soon, with the possibility that both factions could be asked to contest using independent symbols.