EC Freezes TMC's Name, Symbol Over Rival Factions Dispute

The Election Commission of India formally recognized a dispute within the All India Trinamool Congress on Thursday. Passing an interim order freezing the party's name and election symbol. The move comes 10 days after it announced bye-elections for five Assembly constituencies in West Bengal and one Lok Sabha seat.

According to the EC's decision, there are two rival groups within the TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy, each claiming to be the party. The Commission has decided to intervene under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968.

The order, signed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, stated that neither group could use the name "All India Trinamool Congress" or its "flowers and grass" symbol. Instead, they would be known by names chosen by each faction, including a linkage with their parent party.

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The two sides were asked to submit their preferences for names and symbols by 11 am Friday. Last week, the Election Commission met both factions of the TMC and sought more documents from the rebel Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction as the fight for the party's organizational control and claim to its name and symbol intensified.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was represented by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien and four others. Meanwhile, Ritabrata himself represented his faction before the Election Commission of India. The meeting came amid a deepening divide within the TMC, with both factions vying for control of the party's organizational structure.

The EC's decision is seen as a significant development in the ongoing power struggle within the TMC. With the bye-elections just around the corner, the Commission's intervention aims to prevent any further disruptions to the electoral process.

The All India Trinamool Congress was founded in 1968 by Jyoti Basu. After his death in 2016, Mamata Banerjee took over as the party's leader. However, her leadership has been challenged by Arup Roy and other factions within the TMC.

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The Election Commission of India is responsible for overseeing elections in India. Its role includes ensuring that election processes are fair and transparent, as well as resolving disputes between rival parties.

said Mamata Banerjee in a statement. The TMC leader has vowed to contest the bye-elections, despite the Commission's intervention.

said Arup Roy in a statement. The TMC leader has threatened to take legal action against the Commission if it feels that its rights have been violated.