Former West Bengal Chief Minister challenges Election Commission’s interim order ahead of October 6 bypolls as rival factions receive separate names and symbols
Kokalta: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to urgently list a plea filed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenging the Election Commission’s interim decision to freeze the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name and its ‘Flowers and Grass’ election symbol.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, mentioned the matter before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, seeking an urgent hearing.
The court indicated that the rival faction would also have an opportunity to present its submissions before the matter is considered.
The Election Commission had barred the rival factions from using the original party name and reserved symbol for the upcoming October 6 bypolls. It subsequently allotted ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ with the ‘Football Player’ symbol to Banerjee’s faction, while the rival group led by Arup Roy was allotted ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ with the ‘Envelope’ symbol.
Banerjee has challenged the interim order and sought restoration of the party’s original name and symbol. The Commission’s substantive determination on the rival claims remains pending.
The dispute comes ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
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