Supreme Court to Hear Mamata Banerjee’s Plea Over TMC Name and Symbol

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Mamata Banerjee’s challenge to the Election Commission’s interim decision on the TMC name and symbol. ( Photo credit: Subhashish Panigrahi/Wikimedia commons)

 NEW DELHI, September 24, 2026: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition filed by Mamata Banerjee challenging the Election Commission of India’s interim decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress’ original name and its traditional election symbol.

The matter is listed before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. It is listed as a fresh civil case for admission.

What Is the Dispute?

The Election Commission had taken an interim decision amid a dispute between rival factions of the Trinamool Congress.

The poll panel froze the use of the original “All India Trinamool Congress” name and the traditional “Flowers and Grass” symbol for the competing factions.

The Election Commission subsequently allotted separate interim names and symbols for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee was allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the football player symbol, while the rival faction was allotted “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the envelope symbol.

Mamata Banerjee’s Challenge

Banerjee’s petition challenges the Election Commission’s decision and seeks relief against the freeze on the party’s original identity and symbol.

The petition names the Election Commission of India, its secretary and members of the rival faction as respondents.

The Supreme Court had agreed to urgently list the matter after senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought an early hearing on behalf of Banerjee.

What the Supreme Court Will Consider

The hearing is expected to consider Banerjee’s challenge to the Election Commission’s interim action. The court’s proceedings will determine what happens to the challenged party name and symbol during the ongoing dispute.

At this stage, the Supreme Court has not issued a final ruling on the underlying dispute. The matter is before the court for consideration.