- ECI allotted 'Envelope' symbol to Ritabrata Banerjee's breakaway TMC faction.
- CJP's Saurav Das sarcastically questioned contents of the 'Envelope' symbol.
- Mamata Banerjee criticized ECI decision as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The Election Commission’s decision to allot the ‘Envelope’ symbol to the breakaway Trinamool Congress faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has drawn a sarcastic response from Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenor Saurav Das.
Taking a dig at the poll panel’s decision on Friday, Das questioned what the envelope might contain and said the situation itself had become a joke.
“Envelope” symbol for TMC defectors. Envelope me bharr ke kya aaya tha? The jokes just write themselves in this country. pic.twitter.com/jb6hMtjfiP
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) September 18, 2026
“‘Envelope’ symbol for TMC defectors. Envelope mein bhar ke kya aaya tha (What came inside the envelope). The jokes just write themselves in this country,” Das wrote in a post on X.
What Did The Election Commission Decide?
The Election Commission on Friday allotted separate names and symbols to both the Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy-led factions ahead of the bypolls. The Banerjee-led faction has been allotted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the election symbol 'football player', while the other faction was allotted the 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' name with 'Envelope' as its symbol.
The decision applies to the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal and will not be used in future.
Why Were New Symbols Allotted?
The Election Commission’s interim order had prevented both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and the party’s reserved symbol for the upcoming bypolls. The two groups were asked to submit choices for alternative names and symbols before the poll panel allotted new identities to them.
Mamata Banerjee Criticises ECI
Mamata Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission’s decision, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated.
ALSO READ: 'Footballer vs Envelope' In Bengal's Khela 2.0 As Rival Trinamool Factions Get New Names, Symbols
"We don't disrespect the constitution. We don't disrespect the constitutional chair. But we feel today is a black day in our democratic history. What is happening in our country is very unfortunate, unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic and a totally politically biased vendetta to satisfy the ego of a political party. Who are these people? Unhone bola tha, Naam bhi nahi rakhne dunga, nishaan bhi nahi rakhne dunga (They had claimed to snatch the name and symbol of the party)..."
After the withdrawal of her candidate, Banerjee announced that her camp would now support Congress in the Nandigram bypoll to strengthen the INDIA bloc.