SC Mandates ECI: Resolve TMC Symbol Row in 3 Months! 🗓️

The Supreme Court has stepped in to expedite the ongoing power struggle within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), directing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to resolve the leadership and symbol dispute between rival factions within three months. This significant ruling came on Monday, September 28, 2026, setting a clear timeline for a resolution that has seen the party's name and symbol temporarily frozen.

A three-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, has given both sides, led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee, four weeks from September 28 to file all necessary pleadings, including responses, affidavits, and counter-affidavits. Once these submissions are complete, the ECI has a firm three-month window to make a final decision on the controversy.

Despite requests from senior advocate D.S.

Naidu, representing the ECI, for a longer period of five or six months, citing stretched resources due to upcoming elections in five states, the court stood firm on its three-month directive. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, addressing Mr.

Naidu, humorously stated, “In case of extreme exigencies, come before us.” Similarly, a plea from Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for Ritabrata Banerjee's faction, for six weeks to file pleadings instead of four, was also declined. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Kalyan Banerjee, representing Mamata Banerjee, highlighted that their client had already filed responses to the ECI's notice back in July.

Mr. Sibal pointed out, “You (the Ritabrata Banerjee faction) are yet to file, and delaying.” This directive follows the ECI's interim order on September 17, which froze the All India Trinamool Congress's (AITC) 'flowers and grass' party symbol. The court had previously indicated it was unlikely to stay this interim order but had pressed the ECI for a reasonable timeline for adjudication.

The ECI's order stated that freezing the symbol was necessary

to place both the rival groups on even keel and to protect their rights and interests.

As a temporary measure, the ECI allotted new names and symbols on September 18. Mamata Banerjee's faction was granted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' with a 'football player' as its symbol, while Ritabrata Banerjee's group received 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' with the 'envelope' symbol.

This interim arrangement will remain in effect during current by-elections and until the dispute is finally resolved. #TMCDispute #SupremeCourtIndia #ECI #MamataVsRitabrata