The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has submitted a comprehensive reply to the Election Commission of India (EC), firmly dismissing the claim made by the rival camp over the party's name and its iconic symbol of jora ghas phul (two flowers). The submission was made on Tuesday, July 6, 2026, as part of the ongoing proceedings before the EC regarding the dispute between the two factions.
Background of the Dispute
The internal conflict within the TMC escalated after a faction led by former party leader Mukul Roy staked claim to the party's name and symbol. Roy's group, which includes several disgruntled members, argued that they represent the true spirit of the party and should be recognized by the EC. However, the Mamata Banerjee camp has maintained that the party's leadership is undisputed and that the rival faction lacks any substantial support within the party's organizational structure.
The EC had earlier issued notices to both factions, seeking their responses before making a decision on the matter. The Mamata Banerjee faction's reply, running into several pages, includes affidavits from party office-bearers, members of Parliament, and state legislators, asserting their allegiance to the current leadership.
Key Arguments in the Reply
In its detailed response, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction argued that the rival camp's claim is based on false premises and lacks legal validity. The reply highlights that the party's constitution clearly defines the process for electing the party chief, and Mamata Banerjee was unanimously re-elected as the party chairperson in the last organizational elections. The faction also pointed out that the majority of the party's elected representatives, including MPs and MLAs, have submitted written declarations in support of Mamata Banerjee's leadership.
According to sources within the faction, the reply includes a list of over 200 party functionaries, including district-level leaders, who have affirmed their support for the current leadership. The document also references previous EC orders in similar disputes involving other political parties, arguing that the commission should uphold the principle of majority support within the party's organizational structure.
Reaction from the Rival Camp
The rival faction, led by Mukul Roy, has dismissed the Mamata Banerjee camp's reply as a desperate attempt to cling to power. In a press conference held on Tuesday, Roy stated, "The Mamata Banerjee faction has lost the moral authority to lead the party. We have submitted our own evidence to the EC, showing that a significant number of party workers and leaders support us." Roy also claimed that his faction has the backing of at least 30% of the party's grassroots workers, a figure that the Mamata camp has strongly contested.
The EC is expected to hear both sides before making a final decision on the dispute. The commission has set a deadline of July 15 for the submission of additional documents, after which it will likely schedule a hearing.
Political Implications
The outcome of this dispute could have significant political implications for West Bengal, where the TMC has been the ruling party since 2011. The party's symbol, the jora ghas phul, is widely recognized across the state, and any change could affect voter perception. The Mamata Banerjee faction has warned that if the EC decides in favor of the rival camp, it could lead to legal challenges and further political instability.
Political analysts believe that the EC is likely to rule in favor of the Mamata Banerjee faction, given its overwhelming majority in the party's organizational structure. However, the rival camp's persistence suggests that the internal feud is far from over, and the party may face further challenges in the run-up to the next assembly elections.
