A fresh controversy has broken out in the fight for control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has accused the police of helping its rival camp collect affidavits. The allegation has raised questions about whether the process is fair, just as the Election Commission of India (ECI) prepares to decide which side has the right to represent the party.
TMC Name and Symbol Dispute: What the Mamata Camp Alleges
The Mamata-All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) faction says the police and administrative machinery are working in favour of the Ritabrata faction. TMC MP Dola Sen wrote to senior state officials about the matter. In her letter, she alleged that pressure was being put on stamp-paper vendors and police officers to help the rival camp gather affidavits.
The accusation is serious because it goes to the heart of how the two sides are preparing for the ECI's decision. If the claims are true, it would mean one faction had an unfair advantage in collecting the documents needed for the hearing.
Key Dates in the TMC Symbol Battle
The timeline for the dispute is now clear. Both factions must submit their documents by 26 October. After that, the ECI will hold a joint hearing on 30 October to decide the matter.
- Both factions must submit documents by 26 October
- The ECI joint hearing is set for 30 October
- The dispute is over the TMC name and the 'jora phul' (twin flowers) symbol
- The Mamata camp alleges police pressure on stamp-paper vendors and officers
These dates matter because the ECI will use the submitted documents to judge which faction has the stronger claim to the party's identity. The affidavits are a key part of that process.
Why This TMC Row Matters for the Party's Future
The fight is not just about a name or a symbol. It is about who gets to call themselves the real Trinamool Congress. The 'jora phul' symbol is closely tied to the party's identity, and losing control of it would be a major blow to either side.
The Mamata camp's allegation adds a new layer to the dispute. It suggests that the battle is not being fought on a level playing field. The claim that police officers and stamp-paper vendors were pressured is a direct challenge to the fairness of the process.
For now, both sides are focused on meeting the 26 October deadline. The ECI's joint hearing on 30 October will be the next major step. Until then, the allegations and counter-allegations are likely to continue.
Our Take: Fair Process Is the Real Test Here
In our view, the most important issue here is not which faction wins, but whether the process is fair. If one side is using police and administrative pressure to collect affidavits, that undermines the entire exercise. The ECI must look into these allegations seriously before the 30 October hearing.
To put it plainly, a decision on the TMC name and symbol will only be credible if both sides had an equal chance to present their case. The Mamata camp's letter to senior officials is a warning sign. If the allegations are ignored, the final outcome could be questioned for a long time.
For TMC supporters and observers, this row is a reminder that internal party disputes can quickly turn into a test of institutional fairness. The coming days will show whether the ECI and state authorities take these claims seriously.
