TMC Power Struggle Reaches Election Commission as Rebel Camp Stakes Claim to Party Name and Symbol

The battle for control of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to enter a crucial phase on Thursday, as a 10 member delegation from the Ritabrata Banerjee led rebel faction meets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi. While Banerjee has not revealed the delegation's agenda, sources indicate the group will seek official recognition as the legitimate Trinamool Congress , claiming rights over the party's name, election symbol, and organisational assets.

The internal crisis began after the TMC suffered a crushing defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections . The loss triggered a major rebellion within the party, with a large section of its legislators distancing themselves from Mamata Banerjee's leadership. In a dramatic meeting held in Kolkata in late June, the rebel camp claimed the support of a majority of the party's 80 MLAs and voted to remove Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson.

The dissident group appointed senior leader Arup Roy as the new chairperson, announced a parallel 30 member National Working Committee , and suspended Abhishek Banerjee from the party. They also displayed the party's iconic Jora Ghas Phul symbol without Mamata Banerjee's photograph and declared themselves the rightful All India Trinamool Congress .

The political split has extended beyond the state Assembly and into Parliament. A section of TMC Members of Parliament has already resigned from the party and joined the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India , adding another dimension to the growing organisational crisis.

The official TMC leadership has strongly rejected the rebels' actions, suspending several dissident leaders for alleged anti party activities. Mamata Banerjee's camp has also argued that the parallel organisation has no constitutional validity and cannot claim to represent the original party.

Both factions have now submitted separate lists of office bearers to the Election Commission , which must decide which group represents the genuine Trinamool Congress. The Commission will examine the dispute under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 , which empowers it to resolve claims over party identity and election symbols when recognised political parties split.

Political observers have drawn comparisons with the Shiv Sena split of 2022-23 , when the Election Commission awarded the party's name and its famous Bow and Arrow symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction. That decision was based largely on the faction's overwhelming legislative support and was later upheld by the Supreme Court .

A similar test now awaits the TMC. If the rebel camp can demonstrate that it commands majority support among the party's legislators and organisational structure, it could strengthen its claim before the Election Commission. However, the poll panel is also expected to examine whether both factions have followed the party constitution and whether they possess genuine organisational backing across different levels.

Thursday's meeting, which follows recent discussions between the rebel leaders and the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer , could become a defining moment in the battle for one of India's most prominent regional parties. The Election Commission's eventual decision may not only determine who retains the Trinamool Congress name and its iconic symbol but could also reshape the party's political future ahead of upcoming elections.