The Election Commission is likely to issue an interim order on Thursday over the Trinamool Congress’ “two flowers on grass” election symbol after rival factions of the party fielded competing candidates using the same symbol for the October 6 Assembly bypolls in West Bengal. The poll body is scheduled to meet on Thursday, with representatives of both the Mamata Banerjee-led and Ritabrata Banerjee-led factions asked to remain present. The Commission has not yet formally declared that a dispute exists within the TMC, but the competing claims have created an immediate question over which side, if either, can use the reserved symbol in the two constituencies.
Symbol decision awaited
Election Commission functionaries indicated that the symbol could be allotted to one faction or withheld from both, while other interim arrangements may also be available to the poll body. Wednesday was the deadline for the rival camps to submit documents supporting their claims and also the final day for filing nominations. With nomination papers scheduled for scrutiny on Thursday, the Commission is expected to take an ad hoc decision keeping the October 6 bypolls in view. Both factions have fielded candidates in Nandigram and Rejinagar and claimed the right to contest under the TMC’s official symbol, making an interim determination necessary before the electoral process moves further.
Rival claims examined
The Commission is examining competing claims over control of the TMC, including questions concerning the validity of the party’s existing organisational structure and its authorised signatories. The dispute dates to June 22, when West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee convened a meeting of rebel leaders and announced a new National Working Committee, with Arup Roy elected as its chairperson. Ritabrata argued that the party was facing a “constitutional crisis”, claiming Article 20 of the TMC Constitution required the National Working Committee to be constituted every three years. According to his faction, the committee formed in February 2022 completed its tenure in February 2025 and was not renewed, making the June exercise necessary under the party’s rules.
Mamata camp contests claim
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has rejected that interpretation, maintaining that its rivals are relying on an outdated provision while ignoring subsequent amendments to the party constitution. It has also challenged the rival camp’s assertions about the party’s organisational composition, arguing that public notices were issued during the organisational election process and that all MPs and MLAs were made members of the AITC. The faction has further maintained that the June 22 meeting could not constitute a valid organisational exercise because the prescribed multi-tier process for forming party committees was not followed. The Ritabrata-led camp, however, maintains that the meeting complied with the party constitution and has said the Election Commission should determine which side has the legitimate claim. Thursday’s proceedings are expected to focus primarily on resolving the immediate symbol question for the two bypolls rather than finally settling the wider organisational dispute.