# EC to hear rival TMC factions on Sept 17 in symbol row 2026-09-16T23:56:36+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets The Election Commission has summoned rival factions of the Trinamool Congress for separate hearings on September 17 over the party name and its 'twin-flowers on grass' symbol. The rebel camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee will appear before the full bench at 3 pm, followed by the Mamata Banerjee faction at 4 pm at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi. The hearings come a day after nominations closed for the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, where both camps have fielded candidates. Ritabrata claims support of nearly 65 of the 80 TMC MLAs, while the Mamata camp insists there is 'no dispute' and calls the rivals 'traitors'. Sources said the poll body may temporarily freeze the symbol, as it did in the Shiv Sena case. A senior Mamata-camp member alleged the EC was deliberately delaying the matter. The commission has heard both factions earlier, including on September 12, and sought additional documents from the rebel side. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The Times of India and The Hindu report the EC's move as a procedural step, while The Federal frames it as a decisive phase in an electoral contest. The Hindu and The Federal highlight the stakes: whichever faction fails to secure the symbol may have to contest under a different name, and the EC could freeze the symbol pending adjudication. The Hindu quotes the Mamata camp dismissing the rebels as 'traitors' and accusing the EC of delay, a charge the Ritabrata side echoes. The Federal adds that the dispute could shape the party's future beyond the bypolls. The coverage is largely neutral, though The Hindu's framing of the Nayagram bypoll stakes is more dramatic. The hearing on September 17 will settle symbol use, the EC's decision will be tested on the ground in Nandigram and Rejinagar on October 6. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Straight reporting of hearing schedule, no slant. - thehindu.com (neutral report) Reports both factions' claims and quotes without adopting a side. - thefederal.com (neutral report) Neutral wire copy, uses PTI reporting, no editorial slant. Tags: Election Commission of India, Mamata Banerjee, Ritabrata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress, West Bengal Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/eci-summons-both-trinamool-factions-for-september-17-hearing-on-party-symbol/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/eci-summons-both-trinamool-factions-for-september-17-hearing-on-party-symbol/#story-in-brief