Election Commission Freezes TMC Name, Symbol Ahead of Bengal Bypolls; Rival Factions Asked to Pick New Identities

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has barred both rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) from using the party's name and its reserved ‘Flowers and Grass’ symbol in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls, deepening the dispute over control of the party ahead of polling on October 6. 

The interim order, issued on Thursday, September 17, applies to the factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee. The Commission has directed both groups to submit alternative names and symbols by 11am on Friday, September 18. 

Both factions barred from using TMC name and symbol

The ECI said its interim arrangement was intended to place the rival groups on an "even keel" and protect their respective rights and interests while it considers the underlying dispute under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. 

The Commission said neither group would be allowed to use the name All India Trinamool Congress or the party's reserved Flowers and Grass symbol for the current bypolls.

Both factions will instead be allowed to choose alternative names, including names that may retain a reference to the parent party, and select symbols from the ECI's list of free symbols. 

ECI identifies two rival groups

In its order, the Commission said the material before it indicated the existence of two rival groups within the All India Trinamool Congress.

One is led by Mamata Banerjee, while the other is associated with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction. The order also refers to Arup Roy as the petitioner representing the rival group.

The Commission said both sides were claiming to represent the party, making a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 necessary. 

Decision comes after second hearing in five days

The interim order followed a fresh hearing before the ECI on September 17. The two sides had previously appeared before the Commission on September 12, with the Ritabrata-led side subsequently asked to submit additional documents. 

The latest hearing came after the nomination process for the October 6 bypolls had closed and scrutiny of nominations was under way.

The Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with counting set for October 9. 

Congress attacks Election Commission order

The Congress criticised the ECI's decision.

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal described the freezing of the TMC symbol as a "bullet through the heart of Indian democracy" and accused the Election Commission of acting against parties that oppose the BJP.

Venugopal also demanded restoration of the TMC's reserved symbol to the Mamata Banerjee faction. These are the Congress leader's political allegations and demands; the ECI's order itself says the interim arrangement is intended to maintain parity between the two rival groups while the dispute is considered. 

TMC symbol dispute now moves into bypoll campaign

The ECI's decision means the two factions will have to contest the upcoming bypolls under separate identities unless the Commission issues a different order before polling.

Both groups had sought to contest the bypolls using the TMC's established identity and symbol. The interim freeze leaves the question of which faction is entitled to the party name and reserved symbol open for the Commission's substantive determination. 

The move follows the ECI's earlier handling of disputes involving rival factions of recognised political parties, including the Shiv Sena dispute. The immediate effect, however, is limited to the current electoral process while the TMC's competing claims are examined.