The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) is a prominent political party in India, primarily active in the state of West Bengal. Established in 1998 by Mamata Banerjee, the party has gained significant traction in West Bengal's political landscape, emerging as a major contender to the traditional dominance of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian National Congress in the state.
AITC's rise to power in West Bengal was marked by its victory in the 2011 state assembly elections, ending the 34-year reign of the Left Front government. Mamata Banerjee became the Chief Minister of West Bengal, leading the party's government. The party's success was attributed to its focus on grassroots mobilization, welfare schemes, and a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the Communist government.
Under Mamata Banerjee's leadership, AITC has expanded its presence beyond West Bengal, contesting elections in other states. However, its stronghold remains in West Bengal, where it has faced both electoral victories and challenges from opposition parties.
Sources indicate that the All India Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee faction candidate for Rajinagar will contest elections on a temporary symbol of a football player. This development follows concerns raised regarding party cadre safety and the last-minute alteration of the party name and symbol. Earlier, candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury had expressed apprehension over voter recognition following the sudden administrative changes, alongside allegations that party workers were facing threats and intimidation.
Political developments in West Bengal show major challenges for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress faction ahead of key assembly by-polls. The party's candidate from Rezinagar, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, withdrew his nomination, citing difficulties in popularising a new party symbol, alleged intimidation, and a lack of ground-level cadre support. This follows the earlier withdrawal of candidate Sanchita Pradhan in Nandigram, where the party subsequently extended support to the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan, who was later arrested in connection with pending criminal cases. Following an interim ruling by the Election Commission of India recognising two separate factions—Mamata Banerjee All India Trinamool Congress and the rebel Democratic Trinamool Congress—the Mamata Banerjee-led group faces operational hurdles and has approached the Supreme Court of India seeking legal relief.
The Election Commission has frozen the original Trinamool Congress party name and its twin flower symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal by-polls following a split. The commission allotted temporary identities to both factions: Mamata Banerjee's camp received the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the football player symbol, while the rebel faction was named Democratic Trinamool Congress with the envelope symbol. The rebel camp claimed the support of 64 out of 80 MLAs. Both sides traded charges, with the rebel faction criticising party functioning and Mamata's camp calling the decision undemocratic. Opposition allies condemned the move, while the BJP dismissed any involvement in the internal feud. Muslim IPS officer Bushra Bano was abruptly transferred in West Bengal after a right-wing group objected to her Islamic greetings used in a YouTube video encouraging civil service preparation. The government termed the move routine, but opposition leaders accused it of religious bias and bigotry. The controversy sparked political backlash, highlighting tensions over religious expression by public servants. Critics contrasted this with other cases of communal favoritism, questioning the message such actions send to minorities in India.
The Election Commission has frozen the original Trinamool Congress party name and its twin flower symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal by-polls following a split. The commission allotted temporary identities to both factions: Mamata Banerjee's camp received the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the football player symbol, while the rebel faction was named Democratic Trinamool Congress with the envelope symbol. The rebel camp claimed the support of 64 out of 80 MLAs. Both sides traded charges, with the rebel faction criticising party functioning and Mamata's camp calling the decision undemocratic. Opposition allies condemned the move, while the BJP dismissed any involvement in the internal feud.
The Election Commission of India has officially allocated interim names and symbols to the two factions of the Trinamool Congress following a split in the party. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been named Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the symbol of a football player. Meanwhile, the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been designated as the Democratic Trinamool Congress with an envelope symbol. The original TMC name and symbol have been frozen pending a substantive determination by the commission. These temporary allocations will be used for the upcoming by-elections in West Bengal's Rajnagar and Nandigram constituencies scheduled for October 6. The split comes amid ongoing legal battles in the courts and before the speaker regarding disqualification petitions and control over party assets, while political opponents have described the internal developments as an implosion within the party.
The Election Commission of India has issued an interim order freezing the All India Trinamool Congress name and its traditional 'Jora phul' (twin flowers) symbol ahead of crucial by-elections in Nandigram and Rajnagar. Under the order, neither the faction led by founder Mamata Banerjee nor the rebel camp headed by West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee can use the name or symbol until the dispute is resolved. Both factions were directed to submit three preferred temporary names and symbols. Mamata Banerjee submitted her response lodging a strong protest against the decision. The Ritabrata Banerjee faction welcomed the poll panel's move, asserting that control over a political party cannot be inherited. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties extended support to Mamata Banerjee, criticising the Election Commission and the BJP. State BJP leaders remarked that the symbol freeze was inconsequential as the party had lost ground in the state.
All India Trinamool Congress founder Mamata Banerjee has submitted a response to the Election Commission of India, registering a strong protest against the decision to freeze the party name and symbol. The Election Commission cited limited time to examine facts to decide which faction retains the existing symbol, directing both factions to submit three preferred names and symbols ahead of the upcoming by-polls in Rajarhat and Nandigram. The Mamata Banerjee faction is also reaching out to non-NDA political parties for broader support as the political dispute continues.
The Election Commission has frozen the All India Trinamool Congress name and its flowers and grass symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. In an interim order following hearings before the full bench, the commission barred both rival factions from using the party's reserved name and symbol. Both groups have been directed to submit three choices each for a new party name and free symbols by 11:00 AM on September 18. The interim order comes as by-polls approach in Nandigram and Rajanagar, with the symbol freeze set to remain in effect until the dispute is resolved.
The Election Commission of India has directed rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress not to use the party name and the flowers and grass symbol during the upcoming West Bengal by-polls. Both factions have been asked to submit their preferred names and symbols. The Congress condemned the decision, alleging that it was an abdication of constitutional responsibility by the poll body. The Congress further termed the freezing of the name and symbol as Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's late-night birthday gift to the Prime Minister. The directive follows similar past precedents involving splits in political parties such as the Lok Janshakti Party, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party.
The Election Commission of India has frozen the Trinamool Congress party name and its conjoined flowers and grass symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. The order prohibits both rival factions from using the reserved party name and the Jora Ghashphal symbol. Both sides have been directed to submit three choices each for interim party names and symbols by 11:00 AM on September 18. According to the Election Commission's directives, the groups may incorporate a linkage to the parent party if they desire, and separate symbols will be allotted from the notified list for the by-polls. The dispute centres around the rivalry between the faction led by party founder Mamata Banerjee and the breakaway group associated with Ritabrata Banerjee, who is contesting the Nandigram by-poll. While the Ritabrata Banerjee faction stated it would abide by the decision, the development marks a significant shift for the party founded on January 1, 1998, after breaking away from the Indian National Congress.
The All India Trinamool Congress has written letters to the President of India and the Governor of West Bengal regarding recent attacks and vandalism at its offices across the state. The party has sought urgent appointments for its delegations to highlight alleged lawlessness, systematic misuse of police, and party office vandalism by opposition workers. Trinamool Congress also alleged that police failed to intervene despite repeated calls during the incidents.
Mamata Banerjee, chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress, addresses a rally attacking the BJP and central government for allegedly misusing agencies and power. She declares, 'You have captured all the agencies under the government of India.' Banerjee accuses the BJP of forcibly taking over multiple states and targeting Bengal, stating that many Bengalis face attacks outside their state. She threatens to expose evidence related to the Coal Scam, allegedly involving the Home Minister. Banerjee also accuses the government of interfering with Trinamool Congress' political operations and criticises the extension of the BSF's jurisdiction. The Chief Minister maintains that her administration prioritises peace and harmony in Bengal and expresses her determination to defend her party and supporters.
The All-India Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended Sheikh Shahjahan for six years from the party a few hours after the Bengal police arrested him on Wednesday night.
The Barasat Parliamentary Constituency, located in the North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal, currently held by the Trinamool Congress, has been the seat of TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar for three consecutive terms since 2009. Professionally a physician, Dastidar is also a leader of Bongo Janani, the women's wing of the All India Trinamool Congress. With over 15 lakh voters, this constituency serves as the district headquarters. The Trinamool Congress aims to retain the seat in the upcoming elections.
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, whose 'cash-for questions' complaint against Mahua Moitra led to her expulsion from Lok Sabha, has accused the Trinamool Congress leader of carrying out "illegal surveillance on her ex-boyfriend" with help from senior cops in West Bengal. Meanwhile, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for their remarks against Babri Mosque. Owaisi's remarks came a day after Fadnavis, speaking to reporters, on Tuesday said he felt proud and happy to have been present when the 'kar sevaks' brought down the Babri structure on December 6, 1992.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra spoke about the cash-for-query allegations leveled against her by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nishikant Dubey and refuted all the charges.
Opposition bloc INDIA will on Thursday convene its third meeting in Mumbai to strategise against the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Adding to the rift that Opposition alliance INDIA is facing with Congress and AAP at loggerheads in Delhi, a leader from the Trinamool Congress has claimed that his party will contest all seats in West Bengal polls without an alliance with the Congress. TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar told India Today that he is confident his party will win 40 seats in West Bengal without support from the left parties or the Congress. “We are very confident that we will win 40 seats in West Bengal without any support,” Majumdar said on Thursday.
The INDIA Opposition alliance plans to table a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led central government in the Lok Sabha during the Parliament's monsoon session, as confirmed by Trinamool Congress sources on Monday. The move has gained support from all parties, and discussions for the strategy in the Rajya Sabha are also underway. After PM Modi’s “East India Company had also used India and India was also in the name of Indian Mujahideen”, jibe at INDIA Opposition alliance, now several BJP leaders have attacked the opposition for changing its name from UPA to INDIA.
Sushmita Dev is a TMC MP and a Rajya Sabha member from west Bengal. She was the national spokesperson of Congress and the chief of the All India Mahila Congress. She joined the All-India Trinamool Congress in August 2021. Watch this to know more.
