Mamata Banerjee's TMC Gets New Identity as EC Resolves Name-Symbol Dispute Ahead of West Bengal Bypolls

The Election Commission of India has allotted new names and election symbols to the rival Trinamool Congress few weeks before the October 6 bypolls after freezing the party's original name and 'Jora Phool' symbol.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday, September 18, allotted separate names and election symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), following a dispute over the party's identity ahead of upcoming by-elections.

The group led by Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name "Mamata All India Trinamool Congress" and the "Football Player" symbol.

The rival party which is led by Arup Roy has been allotted the name "Democratic Trinamool Congress" and the "Envelope" symbol.

Both groups will be treated as recognised political parties in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura, according to ECI.

Why Did the Election Commission Freeze TMC's Name and Symbol?

In Rejinagar, Safiuzzaman Saikh filed a nomination with authorisation from Arup Roy, while Rabiul Alam Chowdhury filed one with authorisation from Mamata Banerjee.

In Nandigram, Ehteshmul Haque filed a nomination with Roy's authorisation, while Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) filed one with Mamata Banerjee's authorisation. Both sides claimed to represent the All India Trinamool Congress.

The Election Commission said that both the faction can not use flowers and grass or jora phool as the election symbol. On September 17, the Commission issued an interim order preventing both groups from using the original party name and symbol for the by-elections. It asked the factions to submit three preferred names and three free symbols, in order of preference.

TMC's 28-Year-Old 'Jora Phool' Identity

The original All India Trinamool Congress was founded on January 1, 1998, and its "Jora Phool" symbol has been associated with the party for 28 years and the current freeze is a big change for the party's electoral identity.

The by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Benga are scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9