In a major political development ahead of the October 6 West Bengal Assembly bypolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has frozen the historic “Flowers & Grass” symbol of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Operating under an interim order, the Commission has allotted new party names and symbols to the rival factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy.
Mamata Banerjee’s faction will contest the upcoming elections under the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” with the “Football Player” symbol. Meanwhile, the rival group led by Arup Roy, which includes prominent leader Ritabrata Banerjee, has been designated as the “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and allotted the “Envelope” symbol.
Why Was the Iconic Symbol Frozen?
The decision follows a leadership battle in which both factions filed competing claims with the poll body, each asserting that it represents the authentic Trinamool Congress. On September 17, the Election Commission recognised the existence of two rival groups within the party.
Pending a final decision under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, the EC ruled that neither faction may use the original “All India Trinamool Congress” name or its reserved “Flowers & Grass” symbol.
New Identities on the Ballot for Bypolls
Following the freeze, both groups submitted their preferred names and symbols to the poll body:
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Mamata’s Faction: Requested a football-related symbol or a cricket bat alongside its proposed name. The EC granted the “Football Player” symbol and recognised the group in West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
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Arup Roy’s Faction: Submitted options including a blackboard, envelope, and torch. The EC allotted the group the “Envelope” symbol under its new name, “Democratic Trinamool Congress.”
Voters in key constituencies like Nandigram and Rejinagar will see these changes firsthand when they head to the polls on October 6, with vote counting scheduled for October 9.
Significance of the Symbol
Founded by Mamata Banerjee in 1998 after her departure from the Congress party, the Trinamool Congress and its “Flowers & Grass” symbol became central to her political movement, including her historic 2011 victory over the Left Front in West Bengal. While the immediate arrangement allows both factions to participate in the upcoming bypolls, the Election Commission’s broader evaluation will ultimately determine which group—if either—is recognised as the legitimate original party.
