Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Sets Timeline for Election Commission to Resolve Trinamool Congress Name and Symbol Dispute
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 28, 2026, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to decide the dispute over the party name and the “flowers and grass” election symbol of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) within three months after the parties complete their pleadings. The bench gave both factions four weeks to file any additional responses, affidavits or counter-affidavits.
Background & Context
The AITC split after former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and former minister Ritabrata Banerjee (later represented by Arup Roy) each claimed leadership. On September 17, the ECI issued an interim order freezing the original AITC name and its reserved symbol. The next day it allotted interim names and symbols:
- Mamata All India Trinamool Congress – symbol football player
- Democratic Trinamool Congress – symbol envelope
These arrangements apply to the October 6 West Bengal by-polls, with counting on October 9.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 8 | Petitions seeking disqualification of ten rebel MLAs were filed in the West Bengal Assembly. |
| September 17 | ECI’s interim stay order froze the AITC name and “flowers and grass” symbol. |
| September 18 | ECI assigned interim names and symbols to the two factions. |
| September 28, 2026 | Supreme Court set a four-week pleading window and a three-month decision period for the ECI. |
| October 6 (scheduled) | By-polls in Nandigram and Rejinagar. |
| October 8 (scheduled) | Deadline for the Assembly speaker to rule on the ten disqualification petitions. |
| October 9 (scheduled) | Counting of the by-poll votes. |
Data & Statistics
- Two rival factions are contesting the dispute.
- Interim symbols are “football player” (Mamata faction) and “envelope” (Ritabrata/Arup Roy faction).
- The ECI noted its resources are stretched by elections in five states.
- Nearly 60 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs have rebelled, according to a Scroll report.
Official Statements & Responses
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi (Supreme Court) said the three-month period “is good enough” for the ECI to reach a decision.
- Senior advocate D. S. Naidu (representing the ECI) asserted the commission will make “every endeavour” to complete the proceedings within the court-stipulated timeframe.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You (the Ritabrata Banerjee faction) are yet to file, and delaying,” — Mr. Sibal, advocate
What’s Next
- The ECI must render a final decision on the party name and symbol within three months after the pleading deadline (or, per some reports, within a total of four months).
- The West Bengal Assembly speaker must rule on the ten disqualification petitions by October 8.
- The two factions will contest the October 6 by-polls under their interim names and symbols, with vote counting on October 9.
