Mamata Or Rebels, TMC’s ‘2 Flowers’ To Land In Whose Bouquet? Decoding The Battle For Symbol, Status

Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 12:22 IST

Today, TMC's Jora Ghas Phul or two flowers symbol represents 2 factions of the party that are at war with each other following the assembly loss. Who will get the party symbol?

When founder Mamata Banerjee sketched the Jora Ghas Phul (twin flowers with grass) as the symbol for her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the aim was to reflect its grassroots connection. The two flowers stemming from a single plant represented the unity of different communities, specifically symbolising Hindu-Muslim unity.

Today, the two flowers represent the two factions of the party that are at war with each other following the assembly poll debacle. So, who will get the party symbol?

Split and tell

The rebellion has split the party’s legislative presence into two major rebel blocs.

The Assembly Faction: Led by expelled leaders Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, this breakaway bloc has claimed the support of 58 or 59 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs. Bypassing the high command, they secured recognition from West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindranath Bose, establishing Ritabrata Banerjee as the official Leader of the Opposition.

The Parliamentary Faction: In the Lok Sabha, a group of 19 rebel TMC MPs signed a formal letter addressed to Speaker Om Birla. This bloc has declared its alignment with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and named Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as its Chief Whip.

Plucking the ‘two flowers’: Rebels staking claim to the symbol

The rebel camp is preparing to leave the final decision on the party’s true identity to the Election Commission of India (ECI). It is trying to replicate the ‘Maharashtra model’, seen in the Shiv Sena and NCP splits, to support its claim that it is the “real" TMC.

The factions argue that the current leadership represents a “minority" within the party, claiming that they hold the authentic mandate of the “real" Trinamool Congress.

By comfortably clearing the two-thirds threshold required under the Anti-Defection Law, the rebels have managed to avoid immediate disqualification. This has allowed them to position themselves to approach the ECI and legally fight for ownership of the party’s official election symbol.

Internal friction among rebels?

Despite their unified push against the current high command, reports indicate internal disagreements within the rebel camp regarding the “Maharashtra model". Some rebel leaders want a complete organisational takeover, seeking total ownership of the party’s name, assets, and symbol.

Other rebel MLAs are hesitant to completely phase out the party founder. They have publicly suggested that Mamata Banerjee should remain part of the structure strictly as a “Chief Adviser" rather than the absolute decision-maker.

What does the law say?

In India, the law states that the Election Commission of India (ECI) holds absolute statutory authority over the registration of a political party’s name and the allotment of its election symbol. This framework is primarily governed by Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (for party names and registration) and The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (for symbols and factional disputes).

When a political party fractures into rival internal factions, Paragraph 15 of the Symbols Order, 1968 empowers the ECI to legally determine which faction inherits the original party name and symbol. The ECI evaluates these disputes using a multi-layered legal assessment:

The Test of Majority: The ECI calculates the structural support each faction commands. It evaluates support within the organizational wing (party office-bearers and committee members) and the legislative wing (sitting MPs and MLAs).

Freezing the Symbol: If the ECI finds that neither faction holds a definitive, clear majority, or if the evidence is highly contested, it will temporarily freeze the original symbol and name.

Interim Names and Symbols: While the main symbol is frozen, the ECI will instruct both factions to choose temporary new names and select distinct symbols from the free symbol pool to contest immediate upcoming elections.

How has Mamata responded?

In response to the collapsing internal structure, the official TMC leadership has dissolved all organisational committees and frontal organisations across West Bengal to initiate a comprehensive review. Sources indicate that the party’s core leadership is preparing to aggressively challenge the rebels in court the moment they file a formal complaint with the ECI.

Reports also state merger of the TMC with the Congress as an option.

About the Author

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

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