Pending a final order, the Election Commission of India has decided to freeze, for now, the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ and its symbol, ‘Flowers and Grass’. Neither of the two factions — one led by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the other by Ritabrata Banerjee — can thus use them in the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls to be held on October 6.
This is meant “to place both the rival groups on even keel and to protect their rights and interests”, the commission said, citing past precedents.
This also means the commission has markedly identified two rival groups within the party who claim to represent it.
“Both the groups shall be known by such names as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party ‘All India Trinamool Congress’; and both the groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current bye-elections,” the interim order of September 17 read. Earlier reporting noted: ECI reserves TMC symbol amid dispute; asks Mamata, Ritabrata factions to pick new names, symbols ahead of bypolls The Election Commission of India (ECI) reserved the Trinamool Congress’ ( TMC ) “Flowers & Grass” election symbol amid an ongoing dispute between rival factions of the party. Earlier reporting noted: The poll body said that, pending a final determination on the matter, neither the faction led by Mamata Banerjee nor the group led by Ritabrata Banerjee will be allowed to use the party name or the reserved symbol as an interim measure for the upcoming by-elections. Earlier reporting noted: In an interim order released on Thursday, the ECI said the decision was aimed at placing both groups on an “even keel” and protecting their rights and interests. The order will remain in force until the final determination of the dispute, said the poll body.
