Mamata Banerjee moves SC against EC freeze on TMC name, symbol

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 19, 2026: Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s interim decision to freeze the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved ‘Flowers and Grass’ symbol amid an internal party dispute.

The move came after the poll panel barred both rival factions from using the original party name and symbol for the upcoming bypolls. The Election Commission subsequently allotted Banerjee’s faction the interim name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Football Player’ symbol.

The new arrangement will apply to the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, while the dispute over the original party identity remains pending before the Election Commission.

Banerjee has criticised the Election Commission’s decision and described it as a “black day” for democracy. She said she would continue her legal and political efforts to reclaim the party’s original name and symbol.

The former chief minister also compared the party’s identity to an emotional bond between a mother and child, arguing that those who had not built the organisation through years of struggle could not understand that connection.

The Election Commission had issued its interim order after recognising rival claims over control of the party. It directed both factions to contest the upcoming bypolls under separate names and symbols until the dispute is finally settled.