CJI says will ‘try’ to list Mamata’s plea against TMC symbol freeze this week

The petition was filed hours after the top poll body, on September 17, allotted new names and symbols to the two factions of the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee.

Updated - September 21, 2026 11:42 am IST - NEW DELHI

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. File | Photo Credit: ANI

The Supreme Court on Monday (September 21, 2026) agreed to try and list a petition filed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against a decision by the Election Commission to freeze the Trinamool Congress' party symbol.

Appearing before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who is leading a three-judge Bench, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Ms. Banerjee, made an oral mentioning that the Election Commission’s interim order freezing the symbol, even as proceedings under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order 1968, was unwarranted.

“The Election Commission is crossing new milestones every time,” Mr. Sibal submitted.

Chief Justice Kant said both sides would have arguments to make, and the court would hear all the parties.

“We will try to hear it this week,” the CJI said.

The petition was filed hours after the top poll body, on September 17, allotted new names and symbols to the two factions of the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee.

The Mamata faction got the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ with ‘football player’ as its symbol, while the Ritabrata grouping was allotted the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ with the symbol ‘envelope’.

The plea said the EC did not comprehensively look into the party structure while considering rival claims made by the two camps.

The petition said the EC had banked on the statements of rebel legislators who were facing disqualification proceedings under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) of the Constitution.

The Mamata Banerjee camp has also filed a separate petition highlighting the delay in the disqualification proceedings pending before the West Bengal Assembly Speaker against the 10 legislators from the rebel faction.

Published - September 21, 2026 11:38 am IST

Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.