Mamata Gets ‘Football Player’, Ritabrata ‘Envelope’ As EC Allots New TMC Names, Symbols

The Election Commission of India allocated new names and election symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls on October 6. The faction led by party leader Mamata Banerjee will go by the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and use the 'Football Player' symbol.

Meanwhile, the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been given the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' along with the 'Envelope' symbol. This interim arrangement was imposed by the Election Commission to ensure a level playing field between the two factions while their dispute over the party's original name and symbol is resolved.

The bypolls, scheduled for October 6, will be held in the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats, with the count to take place on October 9. The Ritabrata-led faction has nominated Mohammad Eteshamul Haque and Safiuddin Sheikh, while the Mamata-led faction has chosen Sanchita Pradhan and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury as their candidates.

The split has altered the TMC's representation in the West Bengal Assembly, as 58 of the party's 80 seats in the 2026 elections supported Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition. The final decision by the Election Commission regarding which faction will be granted the original TMC name and 'Flowers and Grass' symbol remains to be made.