Kolkata
oi-Swastika Sruti
Trinamool Congress has been temporarily banned by the Election Commission of India from using the name and reserved election symbol of two flowers on grass by two rival factions of the party in upcoming Assembly by-elections in West Bengal.
The Election Commission of India has temporarily banned rival Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee factions of the Trinamool Congress from using the party name and symbol in the October 6 West Bengal by-elections, requiring both groups to select new names and symbols.
The temporary measure was announced by the commission on Thursday and stated that two rival factions, which are headed by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee, respectively, claim identity and organizational control of the All India Trinamool Congress.
This decision will be finalized later by the commission. The decision has come before the by-elections scheduled for October 6 to Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies.
Both Factions Barred From Using TMC Name And Symbol
As per the interim arrangement, no group would be permitted to use the name “All India Trinamool Congress” during the coming bypolls.
The two factions would not even be allowed to use the symbol of the party, which is a combination of two flowers on a grass stem.
Rather, both the factions have been advised to pick up separate names and symbols for the coming bypolls. However, both the factions may retain some association with their parent organization while selecting their names.
New Names And Symbols To Be Chosen
The Commission has asked both factions to submit their preferred names and free symbols. Each group has been asked to provide three names in order of preference and three free symbols, also in order of preference. The ECI will then approve one name and allot one symbol to each faction.
The interim arrangement will remain in place until the Commission reaches a final decision on the organisational dispute under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968.
Why Did The EC Take An Interim Decision?
The ECI has been examining competing claims over the TMC’s organisational control, authorised signatories, party structure and election symbol.
Both camps have presented their respective claims before the Commission. The proceedings began after the rival groups approached the poll panel over control of the party and the right to use its established identity and symbol. With the West Bengal bypoll process already underway, the Commission faced a limited time window to complete the full proceedings under Para 15.
The interim arrangement allows the bypolls to proceed without waiting for the final adjudication of the organisational dispute.
TMC Symbol Row Ahead Of October 6 Bypolls
The dispute has become particularly significant because of the upcoming Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls.
The Nandigram seat became vacant after Suvendu Adhikari retained Bhabanipur and gave up Nandigram. The Rejinagar seat also fell vacant following the resignation of its sitting MLA. Polling for both seats is scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9.
Both TMC factions had been preparing to contest the bypolls while seeking recognition as the legitimate Trinamool Congress.
