NEW DELHI — In a major political development following months of intense internal power struggle, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has formally summoned both rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) for their first official hearing. The proceedings, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, will address the fierce ownership contest between the faction loyal to party founder Mamata Banerjee and the dissident bloc headed by Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Ritabrata Banerjee.

The dispute stems from a post-election rift after the party suffered a major defeat in the Assembly elections. In separate letters dispatched by ECI Secretary Ashwini Kumar Mohal, the poll panel directed both groups to send five-member delegations to present their arguments at the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM) in Dwarka, New Delhi.

According to the schedule outlined by the Commission, the Ritabrata Banerjee-led group will present its case first at 11:00 AM. This will be followed by a hearing for the delegation representing party chairperson Mamata Banerjee at 12:00 PM. Both camps have been asked to submit the details of their delegates and vehicle credentials ahead of the meeting.

Origins of the Rift

The tussle for control over the party broke into the open when a large group of legislators rebelled against the Kalighat leadership following the party's electoral setback. A rebel bloc led by Ritabrata Banerjee subsequently convened a special session where they declared the existing National Working Committee invalid, citing party constitutional rules regarding required three-year re-elections. The dissidents staked claim to the party name, financial assets, and its iconic Jora Ghash Phool (twin flowers on grass) electoral symbol.

Claiming the support of roughly 60 of the 80 TMC MLAs in the assembly, Ritabrata’s group positioned itself as the "real" TMC and appointed new office bearers, proposing only an advisory role for founder Mamata Banerjee.

Conversely, Mamata Banerjee’s faction rejected all claims, asserting that the party constitution maintains organizational authority through 2027 and maintaining that expelled members have no legal standing to reconfigure the executive structure.

What Lies Ahead

The poll panel will hear arguments governed under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The bench will evaluate organizational and legislative majority strength under standard judicial tests to decide which faction retains the registered name, official election symbol, and party assets.

The upcoming hearing marks the first time both delegations will meet the full ECI bench face-to-face following months of written submissions, deadlines, and counter-claims. The ruling is expected to set a decisive precedent for the future of West Bengal's main opposition politics.