The Supreme Court of India on Thursday instructed the Election Commission to decide the All India Trinamool Congress name and symbol dispute before September 28, 2026, in New Delhi. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Mohana.
The dispute centers on the party’s original name, "All India Trinamool Congress," and its symbol, "Jora Phool." The Election Commission froze the name and symbol amid an internal split, allowing the Banerjee‑led faction to contest under "Mamata All India Trinamool Congress" with a football‑player symbol, while Arup Roy’s rebels use "Democratic Trinamool Congress" and an envelope symbol in the upcoming by‑elections.
Justice Bagchi cited Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order, arguing that the Commission can issue an interim order to freeze the symbol until a final ruling. Chief Justice Kant urged the ECI to expedite the process, proposing day‑to‑day hearings, while Justice Mohana questioned why the petition was filed so close to the election schedule.
Senior advocate Niraj Kishan Kaul, representing the rebel faction, warned that a 20‑day deadline is unrealistic for the extensive hearings required, insisting the Court should allow more time. Dama Sheshadri, counsel for the ECI, was directed to determine the realistic duration of the adjudication and report back by Monday.
The Court emphasized that while the Commission may take a reasonable amount of time, it must ensure a fair hearing for both sides. The ECI is expected to return with a definitive timeframe on Monday, September 28, which will dictate whether either faction can reclaim the original name and symbol in future contests.