Internal rift prompts Mamata’s party to change name, symbol

West Bengal politics has seen a historic change. For 28 years, the “twin flowers” symbol was one of the best known signs in state politics. That symbol has now temporarily become history.

The Election Commission of India froze the name and main symbol of the Trinamool Congress ahead of upcoming by elections in West Bengal. On Friday, the commission gave both breakaway groups new separate names and election symbols.

The main group, led by Ms. Mamata Banerjee, will contest the by elections under the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress.” Their new symbol is a football player. The rival group, backed by Mr. Arup Roy and led by Mr. Ritabrata Banerjee, will contest as “Democratic Trinamool Congress.” Their symbol is an envelope.

Trouble began after the party lost the state assembly election in May. Unhappiness grew among Trinamool lawmakers. In June, 58 rebel lawmakers elected the expelled leader Mr. Ritabrata Banerjee as their opposition leader. The Speaker of the assembly recognized him in this role.

The split became final after 20 members of parliament from the Lok Sabha extended their support to the rebel group. This ended the unity of the 28 year old party. Because of the conflict, the Election Commission banned both sides from using the original name and symbol.

By elections will be held on October 6 in the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats in West Bengal. A by election will also be held in the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam on the same day. The commission made clear that the new names and symbols are a temporary arrangement only for these by elections.

This arrangement will stay in place until the main dispute between the two groups is fully resolved. In Nandigram, Ms. Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) will contest for the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress. Mr. Rabiul Alam Chowdhury will contest for the same party in Rejinagar.

Under the Democratic Trinamool Congress banner, Mr. Ehtashamul Haque will contest in Nandigram. Mr. Safiuzzaman Sheikh will contest in Rejinagar.

Ms. Mamata Banerjee left the Congress party and formed the Trinamool Congress in 1998. The twin flowers symbol she drew herself became the main identity of her party.

Analysts believe entering this by election without that familiar symbol is a major psychological and political challenge for Ms. Banerjee’s camp.