Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed leaders of her faction within the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) to compile detailed district-wise lists of local leaders and workers who continue to pledge allegiance to the camp she shares with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. The move comes as West Bengal prepares for polls to seven urban civic bodies expected before the end of 2026, with counting possibly in the first week of December.

Why the Lists Are Being Compiled

According to a leader from the Mamata Banerjee faction, the district-wise data will directly feed into candidate selection for the upcoming municipal polls. 'Once the district-wise lists are available, she will convene a meeting with the state leadership of her party and finalise the names for the urban civic body polls. The strategy for the polls will also be finalised in the meeting,' the leader said.

Beyond candidate selection, the lists carry a critical legal function. The faction needs to submit documented proof of cadre loyalty to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to press its claim over the original party name 'All India Trinamool Congress' and the original electoral symbol of 'Flowers and Grass'. The Commission has yet to award that recognition to either competing camp.

Police Pressure on Ground-Level Workers, Faction Claims

The process of gathering affidavits from district-level leaders has reportedly hit obstacles. The faction leader alleged that state government machinery, including police, is pressuring district-level leaders and workers to sign affidavits confirming loyalty to the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee. The state government has not publicly responded to these allegations.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction will contest the civic polls under the newly allotted name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the electoral symbol of 'Football Player' — the same arrangement used in the recently concluded bypolls for the Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district and the Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district.

The Rival Faction's Position

The Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel camp, contesting under the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' with the electoral symbol of 'Envelope', has stated that it will fight the municipal polls independently, without any alliance partner. The split within the original Trinamool marks one of the most significant internal fractures in the party's history.

Congress Rules Out Alliance

The Mamata Banerjee faction had reportedly been keen to contest the civic body polls in alliance with the Indian National Congress (Congress). However, the West Bengal state unit of Congress has categorically ruled out any such arrangement, leaving both the Mamata faction and the Ritabrata faction to navigate the November-December election calendar on their own terms.

Polls Ahead: What to Expect

Polling for the seven urban civic bodies — which include the politically significant Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) — is likely in the last week of November, with results expected in the first week of December. The outcome will serve as a key early indicator of ground-level strength for both factions as the broader battle over the TMC's identity and future continues.