New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday allotted separate names and election symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress, a day after freezing the party’s original name and its traditional “Flowers and Grass” symbol.

The faction led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol. The rival faction led by Arup Roy has been allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.

The interim arrangement has been made ahead of the October 6 West Bengal Assembly bypolls. Both groups will be treated as recognised political parties in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura for the purpose of the arrangement.

The ECI had on Thursday barred both factions from using the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and the reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol until the dispute over the party’s leadership and organisational control is settled. The Commission said the matter requires a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

As an interim measure, the poll panel asked both factions to submit three preferred names and symbols. The Commission subsequently allotted one name and one symbol to each group.

The decision comes ahead of the bypolls, with both factions having fielded candidates. The new names and symbols will remain in force until the ECI takes a final decision on the dispute over the party’s identity, leadership, name and election symbol.

The development marks a major change in the electoral identity of the two TMC factions as they prepare for the upcoming bypolls.