EC freezes TMC symbol amid dispute in Bengal bypolls

The EC has temporarily removed the AITC name and its "flowers and grass symbol" from the ballot during the October 6 West Bengal bypolls, barring both rival factions from using the political identity associated with Mamata Banerjee and her party for nearly three decades. The EC order comes against the backdrop of a rebellion that began in the TMC legislature party after the Assembly poll defeat in May and later spread to Parliament, and has now reached the party’s name and election symbol, forcing both factions to submit their preferred names and symbols for the bypolls by 11 am on Friday. In its interim order issued on Thursday night, the Election Commission, after hearing leaders of the two factions led by Banerjee and Arup Roy, said the matter requires substantive determination under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
As the commission began proceedings to determine which group represents the recognised political party, it identified two groups, one led by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the other by Arup Roy, who has been named party chairperson by the group of Ritabrata Banerjee, currently recognised as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. The dispute centres on competing claims over the party's organisational authority, the validity of its National Working Committee and the appointment of office-bearers.
The dispute stems from a challenge raised by rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee, who argued that the mandate of Mamata Banerjee’s National Working Committee expired on February 11, 2025, rendering subsequent decisions and appointments void. The Mamata Banerjee-led group rejected the claim, contending that the rival faction relied on outdated constitutional provisions while ignoring later amendments submitted to the commission.