Mamata Banerjee vows Supreme Court battle over TMC name-symbol row
Synopsis
At her party's Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata, a defiant Mamata Banerjee served notice that she will fight the rebel TMC faction's claim over her party's name and symbol all the way to the Supreme Court — while simultaneously announcing plans to join the NEET paper leak protest in Delhi. It is a two-front battle: one for her party's legal identity, one for national opposition relevance.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee announced at the Martyrs' Day rally on 21 July that she will approach the Supreme Court if needed to defend the Trinamool Congress name and electoral symbol.
Expelled TMC legislator Ritabrata Banerjee leads a rebel faction that has staked a claim over the party's identity before the Election Commission of India .
Banerjee confirmed she will join the CJP 's protest in New Delhi against the Union Government over the NEET exam paper leak .
She ruled out taking back any party deserters, vowing instead to rebuild with loyalists, students, and new entrants.
Short-term plans include resuming extensive district tours across West Bengal to rebuild grassroots support after the party's assembly election defeat.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, 21 July declared she would take the fight over the Trinamool Congress (TMC) name and electoral symbol all the way to the Supreme Court if needed, while also announcing plans to join a protest in New Delhi over the NEET exam paper leak. The announcements came during the party's annual Martyrs' Day rally held in front of Birla Planetarium in Central Kolkata.
The Name-Symbol Battle
A rebel faction within the Trinamool Congress, led by expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee, has staked a claim before the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the party's name and electoral symbol. Describing the faction as a 'rebel but majority' grouping, the dissidents have sought to wrest the party's identity away from Mamata Banerjee's leadership.
'If you try to snatch my electoral symbol, I will not remain silent. If necessary, I will go up to the level of the Supreme Court. My struggle against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will continue,' Banerjee said, addressing thousands of supporters at the rally.
Delhi Protest and NEET Stand
Banerjee also announced she would participate in a movement by the CJP against the Union Government in New Delhi, centred on the controversy surrounding the NEET exam paper leak. The move signals her intent to remain a visible face of opposition politics at the national level, even as the party regroups following its landslide defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
On Rebels and Deserters
Banerjee was unequivocal about not welcoming back those who have either joined rival political platforms or formed rebel factions within the party. 'It is good for us that the bad elements and thieves have deserted the party. I wish that those who have deserted stay in fun. But I do not need them anymore. I will create a new goldmine with those who have continued with me and with those who join us now,' she said.
She also addressed those still undecided about their political future. 'Those who want to quit and join the BJP are free to do so. I have students and youth along with me. They will fill it to the brim. But there is no question of compromising with the BJP. It is better to go behind bars than compromise with the BJP,' Banerjee declared.
What Comes Next
Banerjee said she would shortly resume extensive district-level tours across West Bengal to rebuild the party's grassroots presence. With the ECI dispute over the TMC symbol still unresolved and a Supreme Court challenge potentially on the horizon, the coming weeks are set to be a critical test of her authority over the party she founded.
Point of View
And the outcome could set a precedent for how splinter factions weaponise electoral identity against founding leaders. Her decision to join the NEET protest in Delhi is a calculated move to stay relevant in the national opposition conversation at a moment when TMC's post-defeat credibility is under pressure. The harder question is whether her 'new goldmine' of students and youth can replace the organisational muscle that walked out with the rebels — and whether that rebuild can happen before the next electoral cycle closes the window.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mamata Banerjee threatening to go to the Supreme Court?
Mamata Banerjee has threatened to approach the Supreme Court to protect the Trinamool Congress name and electoral symbol, after a rebel faction led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee staked a claim over the party's identity before the Election Commission of India. She made the declaration at the party's Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata on 21 July.
What is the CJP protest that Mamata Banerjee plans to join?
Banerjee announced she will join a CJP movement against the Union Government in New Delhi, centred on the controversy over the NEET exam paper leak. The move is part of her broader strategy to remain active in national opposition politics.
Who is Ritabrata Banerjee and what has he claimed?
Ritabrata Banerjee is an expelled Trinamool Congress legislator who leads what the party describes as a rebel faction. He and his group have approached the Election Commission of India claiming rights over the TMC's name and electoral symbol, challenging Mamata Banerjee's authority over the party.
Will Mamata Banerjee take back TMC rebels who left the party?
No. Banerjee categorically ruled out accepting back those who have deserted the party, whether to join rival platforms or form rebel factions. She said she would build a 'new goldmine' with loyalists, students, and new joiners instead.
What is Mamata Banerjee's next political move in West Bengal?
Banerjee said she will shortly resume extensive district-level tours across West Bengal to rebuild the party's grassroots network following its landslide defeat in the recent assembly elections. She also reiterated that her struggle against the BJP would continue.
