TMC Split Turns into a Comedy of Errors: CJP’s Saurav Das Mocks the ‘Envelope’ Symbol

West Bengal’s political theatre got an extra prop on Friday when the Election Commission (EC) decided to pull the plug on the Trinamool Congress’s familiar name and its iconic ‘two‑flowers‑and‑grass’ emblem for the upcoming October 6 by‑polls.

Instead of the usual tricolour flower, the poll panel handed the Mamata‑led camp a rather sporty “football‑player” logo, while the splinter group that broke away under Ritabrata Banerjee got an envelope – a symbol that immediately sparked a chorus of jokes on social media.

Among the most vocal was Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co‑convenor Saurav Das. Posting on X, he quipped, “Envelope mein bharr ke kya aaya tha? The jokes just write themselves in this country.” His sarcasm hinted at the absurdity many see in assigning a plain envelope to a party battling for relevance.

The EC’s order, issued late Thursday, barred both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name or the traditional ‘Jora Ghash Phul’ symbol. The panel asked each side to propose fresh names and icons by Friday morning. By the next day, the poll authority had approved “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” for Mamata’s side and “Democratic Trinamool Congress” for the rebels.

Beyond the symbols, the decision has political stakes. The by‑polls in Nandigram (East Medinipur) and Rejinagar (Murshidabad) are slated for October 6, with vote counting on October 9. Both constituencies are hotbeds of TMC rivalry, and the new icons could sway voter perception.

Mamata Banerjee did not hold back. She labelled the EC’s move “unconstitutional, illegal and undemocratic,” accusing it of being a vendetta driven by a political party’s ego. “They said beforehand, ‘naam bhi nahi rakhne doonga, nishaan bhi nahi rakhne doonga,’” she said, warning that those in power should respect constitutional limits.

Meanwhile, the envelope symbol has become a meme magnet. Supporters of the rebel faction posted photos of actual envelopes, while opponents joked about what might be hidden inside. The humor underscores how symbols, even mundane ones, can become potent political weapons.

As the election day approaches, all eyes will be on how these newly‑minted logos perform on the ballot paper. Whether the envelope will carry a message of change or simply remain a punch‑line remains to be seen.