In a decisive order that could significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the West Bengal bypolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday barred both competing factions of the Trinamool Congress from using the party's name and election symbol. The move comes amid an intense and publicly visible leadership tussle between Chairwoman Mamata Banerjee's camp and a group of senior leaders who broke away after losing access to the party's high-command-controlled nomination process.
The ECI acknowledged that two distinct groups were claiming to represent the Trinamool Congress, with each faction arguing that it commands the loyalty of the party's working committee and therefore deserves recognition. However, the Commission concluded that neither side could demonstrate undisputed support of the majority of the recognised office-bearers and functionaries of the party — a critical threshold under existing election law.
"Where there are two or more persons or groups of persons claiming to be the same political party, the Commission shall recognise only that faction or group which claims to be the party and which is supported by the majority of the members of its recognised general council or working committee," the ECI observed in its order.
Both factions have been fielding candidates across multiple constituencies in the state. The Commission's ruling means that candidates from either group will now have to contest under whatever symbols they can secure separately, rather than under the iconic TMC lotus emblem. Legal experts say this effectively strips both groups of their recognised-party status for the purpose of these elections, forcing them to operate as unrecognised entities during the campaign.
The disqualification of both TMC factions comes at a sensitive time, with the bypolls expected to serve as a proxy measure of public sentiment ahead of the next general assembly elections. Political analysts note that the ruling could create a three-way contest in several constituencies, benefiting rival parties such as the BJP and the Left-front alliance.
Both TMC camps have indicated they may challenge the ECI's decision in the Supreme Court. Mamata Banerjee's loyalists have described the order as "politically motivated," while the dissenting senior leaders argue that the Commission should have at least permitted one faction to retain the symbol rather than leaving the electorate confused.
The ECI did not, however, issue any interim relief to either side and directed that the order be treated as final unless modified by a court of competent jurisdiction.
