Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for freezing the Trinamool Congress' party name and election symbol ahead of upcoming bypolls in West Bengal.
The ECI’s interim decision was taken on September 17, 2026, following a dispute between the rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress over control of the party, its name and reserved election symbol. Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal reacted to the order on September 18.
ECI Freezes TMC Name and Symbol
The Election Commission banned both rival TMC factions from using the name All India Trinamool Congress and its traditional “Flowers and Grass” symbol for the upcoming bypolls.
The interim order came after the poll panel heard both sides of the organisational dispute. The Commission directed the two factions to submit three preferred party names and three preferred free symbols from its notified list.
The order applies to the upcoming elections while the wider issue of party control of organisational structure remains unresolved.
Rahul Gandhi Calls It ‘Party Theft’
Rahul Gandhi criticized the poll panel on September 18 and claimed that the BJP and Election Commission were working together to weaken opposition parties.
Gandhi referred to earlier disputes involving the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party before saying, “Vote chori, government chori, now party chori”. He referred to them as symbols of democratic decline.
Gandhi also said that the issue was not limited to Mamata Banerjee and argued that it concerned political parties and voters more broadly.
These statements are Gandhi's political allegations and should be attributed as such.
Kejriwal Also Questions the Move
Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the ECI's decision. Kejriwal questioned whether elections can be won through such measures and called the decision a “birthday gift” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
His comments came as the two TMC factions prepared for the upcoming bypolls without being permitted to use the disputed party name and reserved symbol.
Why the TMC Symbol Was Frozen
The ECI's action followed a dispute between factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee over control of the Trinamool Congress organisation.
In fact, rather than immediately recognize one group as the sole claim on the current name and symbol, the Commission imposed an interim arrangement. Both groups were asked to choose new names and free symbols for the bypolls.
The Election Commission said that the arrangement was put in place so the rival groups would be on equal footing and would protect their interests in case of the dispute.
West Bengal Bypolls on October 6
The ECI's decision comes ahead of October 6, 2026 bypolls in the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly constituencies in West Bengal. Both rival factions have fielded candidates. Counting is on October 9.
The symbol dispute therefore has immediate electoral significance for competing TMC factions.
