Trinamool Congress split: Election Commission to rule on party name and symbol

The Election Commission of India (ECI) set a deadline of 5:30 pm on Monday for rival factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to file their claims over the party’s name, election symbol and associated funds. One faction, led by incumbent chief minister and party chairperson Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, argues that the rival legislators were nominated by her for the recent West Bengal Assembly election and therefore cannot later claim ownership of the party’s identity. It also contends that the rebel‑led National Working Committee, which replaced Banerjee with Arup Roy, is invalid because it was formed solely on the basis of numerical strength in the state assembly and because Ritabrata Banerjee, the rebel leader, had already been expelled from the party.

The opposing faction, headed by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, maintains that its numerical majority in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and the newly formed National Working Committee give it legitimate authority over the party name and symbol. The ECI has asked both sides to submit detailed responses by July 6, after issuing letters on July 2 and holding a meeting with a 10‑member rebel delegation.

Mamata Banerjee warned that any attempt to strip her of the symbol would meet strong resistance, saying, “You will have to kill me to silence my voice.” The commission’s pending decision will determine which faction retains control of the TMC’s identity and resources.