Regulatory
ECI Temporarily Freezes Trinamool Congress Name and Flowers & Grass Symbol Amid Faction Dispute
Nyayavat • Published • Updated • 3 min read
Interim arrangement pending decision under Paragraph 15 of the Symbols Order
The Election Commission of India passed an interim order restraining two rival groups claiming control of the All India Trinamool Congress from using the party's existing name and reserved “Flowers & Grass” symbol while the organisational dispute is pending.
The proceeding is under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which empowers the Commission to determine which rival section of a recognised political party, if any, should be treated as the recognised party after considering the facts and hearing the rival groups.
Separate temporary names and symbols
The Commission recorded that one group is led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Arup Roy. Because the substantive dispute could not be concluded before the ongoing bye-elections, the ECI directed both groups to submit preferences for separate names and free symbols for interim use.
The dispute includes competing claims about the validity and tenure of the party's National Working Committee and the legality of internal organisational steps taken in 2026.
Final outcome for now
The existing party name and reserved symbol remain frozen for both rival groups until the ECI finally determines the dispute. The interim order does not decide which faction ultimately represents the recognised political party.
- Election Commission
- Election Symbols Order
- Political Party Symbol
- Paragraph 15
- AITC