The dispute over the name and election symbol of the Trinamool Congress has entered a new phase after the Election Commission allotted separate identities to the two rival factions.

According to the latest arrangement, the faction led by *Mamata Banerjee* has been allotted the name *‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’* and the ‘Football Player election symbol.

The faction led by Aroop Roy, meanwhile, has been allotted the Envelope  election symbol. The development follows an earlier interim decision under which both factions were barred from using the original Trinamool Congress name and its reserved election symbol.

Separate identities for both factions

The Election Commission’s latest decision gives both factions separate electoral identities. The Mamata Banerjee-led group will participate in the electoral process under its newly allotted name and symbol, while the Aroop Roy faction will use its separately allotted symbol.

The names and symbols assigned by the Election Commission will serve as the official identities of the respective factions during the electoral process covered by the interim arrangement.

### Mamata faction gets new name

The Election Commission has allotted the name *‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’* to the faction led by Mamata Banerjee.

Along with the new name, the faction has been assigned the *‘Football Player’* symbol. Candidates fielded by the faction will now use the allotted identity in the relevant election-related documents and campaign material.

The decision follows the faction’s submission of alternative names and symbols after the commission’s earlier interim order.

Aroop Roy faction gets Envelope symbol

The rival faction led by Aroop Roy has been allotted the ‘Envelope’ symbol.

The allocation means that the two groups will now have distinct electoral identities during the upcoming election process. The Aroop Roy faction will have to use the symbol allotted by the commission for its candidates and campaign activities.

 Original TMC name and symbol had been restricted

The latest allocation follows an earlier interim order in which the Election Commission prevented both rival factions from using the original *All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved election symbol.

The commission took the step after receiving competing claims from the two factions regarding control of the party and its official identity.

The interim arrangement was introduced to ensure that both sides could participate in the electoral process without using the disputed original identity.

 Both factions asked to submit three alternatives

Following the interim order, both factions were asked to submit three preferred names and three election-symbol options within the prescribed timeframe.

Mamata Banerjee had submitted her preferred options while strongly objecting to the commission’s interim decision. The commission subsequently considered the available alternatives before allotting the new identity to her faction.

 Mamata faction had opposed the interim order

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction had strongly objected to the decision restricting the use of the original party name and symbol.

However, while maintaining its objection to the interim arrangement, the faction submitted alternative names and symbols within the required deadline so that it could comply with the immediate electoral requirements.

The commission has now allotted the faction its new name and the Football Player symbol.

 Direct impact on the electoral process

The new allocation will have a direct impact on the electoral process involving the two factions. Candidates and campaign material will have to use the respective names and symbols allotted by the Election Commission.

Election symbols are an important means through which voters identify political organisations and candidates. The separate allocation therefore establishes a distinct framework for the two factions during the current electoral process.

 Final decision on original identity is pending

The allocation of new names and symbols is part of the interim arrangement and does not necessarily represent the final resolution of the larger dispute over the original party name and reserved symbol.

The Election Commission is still examining the competing claims and documents submitted by the two sides. A final decision will determine the longer-term status of the original party identity and reserved symbol.What happens next?

For the immediate electoral process, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction will operate under the name *‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’* and use the Football Player symbol.

The Aroop Roy-led faction will contest using the Envelope symbol.

Both groups will now have to organise their candidates and election campaigns around their newly allotted identities. The broader dispute over the original TMC name and reserved election symbol, however, remains subject to the Election Commission’s continuing proceedings and final determination.