TMC symbol freeze row: Supreme Court asks EC adjudication timeline
The Supreme Court of India has directed the Election Commission to establish a timeline for resolving the leadership dispute within the All India Trinamool Congress. The court is unlikely to lift the interim freeze on the party's symbol during the ongoing by-elections.
Why it matters
The ruling impacts the political branding and electoral participation of a major regional party during a critical election period.
The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 24, 2026) signalled that it was unlikely to stay the Election Commission’s interim freeze on the All India Trinamool Congress’s (AITC) ‘flowers and grass’ party symbol.
However, the Court directed the poll body to set a reasonable timeline to adjudicate the leadership dispute between former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee, who leads the rival camp of legislators.
“Find out how much time you would need for the final adjudication of the dispute after giving parties due representation and for you to also apply your mind. We are not saying anything, but give a reasonable time, do not prolong,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant told the Election Commission of India (EC) counsel, senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu.
The Court directed the EC to respond on Monday (September 28).
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in