Ritabrata Banerjee alleges TMC faction tried to rob ECI affidavits in transit
Synopsis
The battle over the 'All India Trinamool Congress' name and electoral symbol turned dramatic on Monday when Ritabrata Banerjee claimed his faction's road-bound affidavit convoy was targeted for interception by Mamata Banerjee's supporters — casting a shadow over a statutory ECI process that will decide who controls one of West Bengal's most recognisable political brands.
Key Takeaways
Ritabrata Banerjee alleged on 26 October 2026 that supporters of the Mamata Banerjee -led faction attempted to seize a truck carrying his faction's affidavits bound for the ECI in New Delhi .
The affidavits are part of the ECI 's final adjudication to decide which faction retains the original All India Trinamool Congress name and Flowers and Grass symbol.
The ECI earlier froze the original party name and symbol; the Mamata faction got 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and a 'Football Player' symbol, while Ritabrata's faction received 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and an 'Envelope' symbol.
Ritabrata's faction claims its workers foiled the alleged robbery attempt ; the Mamata Banerjee-led faction had not responded at the time of filing.
The final ECI ruling on the party name and symbol will have significant consequences for West Bengal electoral politics.
Ritabrata Banerjee, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and head of the rebel-but-majority faction of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), on Monday, 26 October 2026, accused the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of attempting to intercept and seize affidavits being transported by road from Kolkata to New Delhi for submission to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The documents are central to the ongoing legal battle over which faction has the rightful claim to the original party name — All India Trinamool Congress — and its electoral symbol of Flowers and Grass.
The Alleged Robbery Attempt
Ritabrata issued a statement on social media on Monday morning, claiming that supporters of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction attempted to take control of a truck transporting his faction's affidavits, which had left Kolkata on the morning of 24 October. He stated that his party workers successfully repelled the attempt.
In his own words, Ritabrata wrote: 'Chartered Flight has carried Kalighat's affidavits to Delhi on 25th evening. Our Affidavits are being transported to Delhi by road. Our workers have started with our documents on 24th morning for depositing in ECI. Half an hour ago there were attempts to take control of the truck and snatch our documents. Our workers have resisted bravely. The fight is on. A fight between Chartered Culture versus Grass Root resolve. Despots will not succeed in their attempt of organised loot in every sphere.'
At the time of reporting, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction had not issued any response to the allegations.
Background: The ECI's Freeze and Interim Symbols
The dispute dates to earlier this year, when the ECI temporarily froze the original party name 'All India Trinamool Congress' and the electoral symbol of 'Grass and Floor', triggering a parallel-identity crisis for both factions. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was assigned the interim name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the electoral symbol of a 'Football Player'. Ritabrata's faction, meanwhile, was allotted the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and the electoral symbol of an 'Envelope'.
Both sides are now in the final stage of the adjudication process, in which the ECI has called for affidavits from each faction as part of its exercise to determine which group will permanently retain the original party name and symbol.
Why the Affidavits Matter
The affidavits represent each faction's formal legal claim before the ECI — the constitutional authority empowered to adjudicate intra-party disputes and assign party names and symbols. Whichever faction the Commission recognises as the legitimate All India Trinamool Congress will inherit significant electoral and organisational advantages, including candidate credibility and voter recognition built over decades. The outcome is particularly consequential ahead of future state and local body elections in West Bengal.
Political Fallout in West Bengal
Ritabrata's allegations have sharply escalated tensions between the two factions, which have been locked in a bitter internal struggle for organisational control. Critics argue that the incident — if substantiated — would represent a serious attempt to undermine a statutory electoral process. Notably, this is not the first time allegations of coercion and intimidation have surfaced during the ongoing split. The absence of any rebuttal from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction at the time of filing this report leaves the claims uncontested for now.
The ECI is expected to proceed with its adjudication once affidavits from both sides are received and verified, with the final ruling likely to reshape the political landscape in West Bengal.
Point of View
Effectively weaponising a statutory ECI process for factional ends. What is striking is the asymmetry in resources Ritabrata himself highlights: one side chartered a flight, the other sent documents by road — a detail that feeds into a broader narrative about organisational muscle versus grassroots reach. The ECI's silence so far on whether it received both sets of affidavits intact is itself a data point worth watching. The final symbol-and-name ruling will not just settle an internal dispute — it will determine which group carries the formidable vote-bank legacy of the Trinamool brand into the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ritabrata Banerjee allege about the affidavits meant for the ECI?
Ritabrata Banerjee alleged that supporters of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction attempted to intercept and seize a truck transporting his faction's affidavits from Kolkata to New Delhi for submission to the Election Commission of India. He claimed his party workers successfully foiled the attempt.
Why are these affidavits important in the Trinamool Congress dispute?
The affidavits are part of the ECI's formal adjudication process to decide which of the two Trinamool Congress factions has the rightful claim to the original party name 'All India Trinamool Congress' and the electoral symbol of Flowers and Grass. The winning faction will inherit significant electoral recognition built over decades.
What interim names and symbols did the ECI assign to the two factions?
The ECI temporarily froze the original name and symbol. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was assigned the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the 'Football Player' symbol, while Ritabrata Banerjee's faction received the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and the 'Envelope' symbol.
Has the Mamata Banerjee-led faction responded to the robbery allegations?
At the time of reporting on 26 October 2026, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction had not issued any response to Ritabrata Banerjee's allegations.
What happens next in the ECI's adjudication of the Trinamool Congress split?
The ECI is expected to proceed with its final ruling on which faction retains the original All India Trinamool Congress name and symbol once it receives and verifies affidavits from both sides. The outcome will have major implications for West Bengal's political landscape ahead of future elections.
