Who Is The ‘Real’ TMC? EC To Hear Ritabrata Faction As Battle Over Name And Symbol Intensifies

The battle over who represents the “real” Trinamool Congress has entered a crucial phase, with the Election Commission set to hear rival claims from the Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee camps on September 12, just days before nominations close for two West Bengal bypolls.

The dispute is no longer simply an internal leadership fight. It now involves the TMC's recognised name, the jora phool election symbol and access to party funds, making the EC's decision potentially consequential for the party's future electoral identity. The two factions will appear separately at the IIIDEM in Delhi, with Ritabrata's five-member delegation scheduled for 11 am and Mamata's camp at noon.

Ritabrata's faction has sought to demonstrate a strong numerical base among elected representatives. It claims the backing of 65 of the TMC's 80 MLAs, while 20 Lok Sabha MPs have aligned with the rebel camp. The figures give the faction a substantial advantage among legislators, but numbers alone may not settle the dispute.

The bigger question before the EC is likely to be organisational legitimacy. Mamata's camp has challenged the rebel faction's organisational exercise and maintained that the party's existing organisational committees remain valid. The Commission will therefore have to examine competing documents, organisational claims and the validity of the rival exercises, rather than merely count legislators.

The conflict intensified after the TMC's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, with Ritabrata blaming Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee for the setback. The confrontation subsequently spilled into the party structure, including a reported contest over control of its headquarters.

Mamata has repeatedly urged the EC to decide the matter quickly, including in her August 31 communication, amid concern that prolonged uncertainty could affect the party's electoral functioning. The timing is especially significant because September 16 is the nomination deadline for the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls.

The September 12 proceedings could therefore become a defining moment in the TMC's power struggle. At stake is not merely which faction has more legislators, but which side can establish that it has the legitimate organisation behind the party name and symbol.