The Election Commission of India has ruled that neither faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) may use the party’s name or its traditional symbol in the West Bengal by‑polls scheduled for this year.
The directive comes after a split within the TMC following internal disputes. Each faction now has to register separately under a new party name and adopt a distinct electoral symbol for the polls.
Voters in Kolkata and other districts will see two different TMC‑branded tickets on the ballot. The move is likely to affect campaign strategies and could influence how supporters identify the parties.
The Election Commission will monitor compliance as the by‑polls approach, and both factions are expected to file their nominations under the new designations by the stipulated deadline.
