Will TMC Rebel Faction Get The Twin-Flower Symbol? Trinamool's Ritabrata Camp To Meet EC On Thursday

Last Updated:July 01, 2026, 15:06 IST

The TMC Ritabrata-faction and EC meeting comes amid a growing dispute between rival camps over the party's leadership, organisation and election symbol.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) faction led by West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee is scheduled to meet the Election Commission in New Delhi on Thursday as the battle for control of the party gathers pace.

The delegation will meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after seeking an appointment with the poll panel. The meeting comes amid a growing dispute between rival camps over the party’s leadership, organisation and election symbol.

Rival factions stake claim

The political showdown intensified after the rival groups led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee submitted separate national working committee lists to the Election Commission of India.

Both camps have claimed to represent the “real" All India Trinamool Congress, setting the stage for a dispute over the party’s name, organisational control and the “jora ghash phool" (twin-flower) election symbol.

Earlier this week, the rebel MLAs held a special meeting at a hotel in New Town, Kolkata, where they voted by voice vote to remove Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson.

The legislators elected former minister and Howrah Central MLA Arup Roy as the new party chief. The rebels argued that the three-year term of the national working committee formed in February 2022 had expired, creating a constitutional crisis under Article 20 of the party constitution.

On Tuesday, the rebel MLAs submitted a letter to the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer seeking recognition as the official Trinamool Congress and requesting control over the party’s election symbol.

Mamata camp files separate list

In response, Mamata Banerjee’s camp submitted its own list to the Election Commission, maintaining that it remains the legitimate Trinamool Congress.

The list names Mamata Banerjee as chairperson, Abhishek Banerjee as national general secretary and Lok Sabha leader, Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen as joint secretaries, Subhashish Chakraborty as treasurer and Sovondeb Chatterjee as leader in the Assembly.

The latest challenge comes as Mamata Banerjee is also dealing with a breakaway group of Lok Sabha MPs aligned with the NDA and the resignation of three Rajya Sabha MPs.

Symbol, finances and legal battle

The rebels claim they have the support of more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs and several elected councillors. They have also indicated that they will seek control of the party’s symbol and organisational assets.

The faction has sought an audit of the party’s finances. Following a complaint by the rebels, TMC bank accounts containing Rs 440 crore have reportedly been frozen. Mamata Banerjee’s supporters, however, remain confident of retaining both the election symbol and access to party funds.

Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra questioned the rebels’ claim over the symbol and said they should first secure the symbol before forming a national working committee. She also maintained that under the party constitution, Mamata Banerjee remains chairperson for life. On the freezing of bank accounts, she questioned the process and said proper court permission had not been obtained.

The TMC has expelled several rebel leaders, including Arup Roy and a number of MLAs and former ministers. Despite the expulsions, the rebel faction remains confident about its numerical strength.

About the Author

Shuddhanta Patra

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen...Read More

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