The recent decision by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to freeze the official name and symbol of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has drawn sharp remarks from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. He referred to this ruling as a “birthday gift” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country. Kejriwal made his comments on September 18, 2026, questioning the legitimacy of winning elections through such means.

In a post on the social media platform X, Kejriwal asked, “Will they win the election this way?” This statement came on the heels of a crucial interim order by the ECI aimed at managing the ongoing leadership dispute within the Trinamool Congress, which is particularly pertinent as by-elections are scheduled for October 6 in the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly constituencies.

Details of the ECI Order

The ECI’s order, issued on September 17, prohibits both factions of the Trinamool Congress from using the name “All India Trinamool Congress” or its “Flowers and Grass” symbol until the matter of leadership is resolved. The Commission emphasized that neither the faction led by Shri Arup Roy nor the one headed by Ms Mamata Banerjee would be able to utilise the party’s recognised name during this period.

According to the ECI, this interim measure is designed to provide a level playing field and protect the rights of both groups. The decision will remain effective for the upcoming bye-elections. Furthermore, the rival factions must submit three alternative names for identification, as well as three symbols from the Commission’s approved list, by 11 AM on September 18, which will inform the Commission for candidate recognition.

The order followed a hearing conducted at the Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi, where the ECI listened to the final submissions from both factions. The leadership dispute is significant, as both sides are actively claiming the traditional symbol of the party ahead of the elections.

Importance of Upcoming Bye-Elections

The bye-elections for the Nandigram and Rejinagar seats are critical for both factions of the Trinamool Congress. The Nandigram constituency became vacant after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari opted to retain his position in Bhabanipur, following his victory against Mamata Banerjee in the 2026 Assembly elections. In Rejinagar, the seat was vacated by Humayun Kabir, the founder of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, who had also won from Nowda.

Polling for these two assembly seats is set for October 6, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 9. The ECI has established October 11 as the deadline for completing all procedural aspects related to the elections. The unfolding scenario contributes to an increasingly complex political landscape in West Bengal, as both factions vie for dominance.

This series of events highlights the larger tensions within the AITC and raises questions about the implications for future electoral contests, particularly with the upcoming bye-elections just around the corner.

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