Mamata Banerjee seeks EC to end TMC dispute, says rival failed to respond despite extensions

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the Election Commission of India (EC) to conclude its inquiry into the dispute over the ownership of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) name, poll symbol and organisational control, arguing that the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has repeatedly failed to respond within extended deadlines.

In a letter addressed to EC Secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal on Wednesday (July 29, 2026), the TMC founder-chairperson said the party's rival group should not be granted any further opportunity to submit their comments. She contended that the commission should bring the proceedings to a close 'as early as possible' as the dispute has 'serious political ramifications in West Bengal'.

The letter is the latest attempt by the Mamata Banerjee camp to press for an early adjudication in the battle that will determine which faction is recognised as the 'real' All India Trinamool Congress, and consequently, who will be entitled to its election symbol, organisational identity and control over party assets and funds.

Ms. Banerjee pointed out that her camp had complied with the EC's direction and submitted its detailed response on July 6 within the stipulated deadline, despite having been given very little time. She noted that a copy of the reply was simultaneously served to the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Mr. Ritabrata, through both email and speed post, as per the commission's instructions.

According to the letter, the EC had initially sought comments from Mr. Ritabrata by July 6. The commission subsequently extended the deadline to July 10 through a communication dated July 7. Thereafter, on Mr. Ritabrata's request for an additional 15 days, the EC granted time till July 25 by its July 13 communication.

Ms. Banerjee stated that as of July 25, her camp had not been informed whether Mr. Ritabrata had submitted his reply, nor had a copy been provided to them. 'Therefore, it can be inferred that no reply has been submitted,' she wrote.

She argued that since the rival faction had failed to respond despite being granted two extensions, 'it can be inferred that all our submissions and statements pointed out in our letter dated 6th July 2026 have been admitted and they do not have any answer to that'. She further asserted that there was now 'no scope' for the rival camp to build an entirely new case beyond the representations originally made to the commission on June 22.

Questioning the repeated extensions granted to the rival faction, Ms. Banerjee alleged that the additional time could be used to fabricate supporting material. 'We firmly believe that because of the extension of time granted by you, Shri Ritabrata Banerjee and others are trying to create false evidence to develop their case since they do not have any merit in respect of their allegations which we have firmly disputed,' the letter stated.

She also stressed that the proceedings before the EC should ensure procedural fairness. 'There should be a level playing field for us to meet the grievances made by them, and for them to deal with our contentions. We humbly submit it would be inappropriate to give them any further extension after 25th July 2026,' she wrote.

Seeking an early conclusion of the proceedings, Ms. Banerjee said, 'Since the matter has serious political ramifications in West Bengal, I would request you to conclude the investigation as early as possible without providing them with any further date to submit their comments.'

In a pointed concluding remark, she said, 'Justice must be rooted through confidence, and if a party fails to respond repeatedly, it undermines the process.'