Mamata Or Rebels, TMC’s ‘2 Flowers’ To Land In Whose Bouquet? Decoding The Battle For Symbol, Status

Published 12 June 2026 · politics

Mamata Or Rebels, TMC’s ‘2 Flowers’ To Land In Whose Bouquet? Decoding The Battle For Symbol, Status Written By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 12:26

Mamata Or Rebels, TMC’s ‘2 Flowers’ To Land In Whose Bouquet? Decoding The Battle For Symbol, Status Written By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 12:26 IST Today, TMC's Jora Ghas Phul or two flowers symbol represents 2 factions of the party that are at war with each other following the assembly loss. Who will get the party symbol? Rapid Read The TMC rebels are staking claim to the party name and symbol. (PTI/File) When founder Mamata Banerjee sketched the Jora Ghas Phul (twin flowers with grass) as the symbol for her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the aim was to reflect its grassroots connection. The two flowers stemming from a single plant represented the unity of different communities, specifically symbolising Hindu-Muslim unity. Today, the two flowers represent the two factions of the party that are at war with each other following the assembly poll debacle. So, who will get the party symbol? Split and tell The rebellion has split the party’s legislative presence into two major rebel blocs. The Assembly Faction: Led by expelled leaders Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, this breakaway bloc has claimed the support of 58 or 59 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs. Bypassing the high command, they secured recognition from West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindranath Bose, establishing Ritabrata Banerjee as the official Leader of the Opposition.

The Parliamentary Faction: In the Lok Sabha, a group of 19 rebel TMC MPs signed a formal letter addressed to Speaker Om Birla. This bloc has declared its alignment with the Democratic Alliance (NDA) and named Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as its Chief Whip. Plucking the ‘two flowers’: Rebels staking claim to the symbol The rebel camp is preparing to leave the final decision on the party’s true identity to the Election Commission of India (ECI). It is trying to replicate the ‘Maharashtra model’, seen in the Shiv Sena and NCP splits, to support its claim that it is the “real" TMC. The factions argue that the current leadership represents a “minority" within the party, claiming that they hold the authentic mandate of the “real" Trinamool Congress. By comfortably clearing the two-thirds threshold required under the Anti-Defection Law, the rebels have managed to avoid immediate disqualification. This has allowed them to position themselves to approach the ECI and legally fight for ownership of the party’s official election symbol. Internal friction among rebels? Despite their unified push against the current high command, reports indicate internal disagreements within the rebel camp regarding the “Maharashtra model". Some rebel leaders want a complete organisational takeover, seeking total ownership of the party’s name, assets, and symbol. Other rebel MLAs are hesitant to completely phase out the party founder.