The Election Commission has temporarily prevented both rival groups of the Trinamool Congress from using the party’s official name and reserved election symbol in the upcoming Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal.

The interim decision means that neither faction will be allowed to contest the bypolls using the name All India Trinamool Congress or its reserved Flowers and Grass symbol. The Commission has directed both groups to choose separate names and symbols for the upcoming contests.

Both sides have been asked to submit three preferred names and three choices from the list of available election symbols. The Commission will then decide which names and symbols can be allotted to the two groups for the bypolls.

The Commission said the material submitted during the proceedings indicates the presence of two rival groups, with both claiming to represent the recognised party. Since the wider dispute requires further examination and cannot be conclusively decided before the upcoming bypolls, the temporary arrangement has been introduced for the elections.

The measure will remain in effect while the Commission continues its proceedings on the dispute over the party’s identity and reserved symbol.