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Election Commission Bars Trinamool Factions From Using Party Symbol
Two groups are arguing over which one is the real Trinamool Congress.
They also both want to use the party’s name and familiar election symbol.
The Election Commission said it could not decide the full dispute before the upcoming elections.
It therefore stopped both groups from using the original name and symbol for now.
The commission had previously given Ritabrata Banerjee’s group extra time to submit documents.
His group eventually sent its response on September 11.
The elections are scheduled for October 6 in three constituencies.
The groups must now use different names and symbols.
This may make it harder for candidates to explain their identities to voters.
The Election Commission barred both Trinamool Congress factions from using the party name and symbol in upcoming bye-elections.
The order covers the October 6 contests in Rejinagar and Nandigram in West Bengal and Nagaon in Assam.
The commission said resolving the dispute requires a substantive determination, but there was not enough time before the polls.
The order records that the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee received extensions and submitted its response on September 11.
The factions must use newly approved names and symbols, giving candidates less than three weeks to inform voters.
- Who
- The Election Commission, the Mamata Banerjee faction of the Trinamool Congress, and the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
- What
- The Election Commission barred both factions from using the Trinamool Congress name and election symbol in specified bye-elections.
- Where
- The affected contests are in Rejinagar and Nandigram in West Bengal and Nagaon in Assam.
- When
- The order was issued on Thursday; voting is scheduled for October 6, with nominations closing on September 16.
- Why
- The commission said resolving which faction legitimately represents the party requires a substantive determination and that the available time was inadequate.
Mamata Banerjee Faction
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
Extensions and procedural fairness
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The faction objected to the additional time granted to the rebel group and questioned why it received what Mahua Moitra called special treatment after missing the original deadline.
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
The rebel faction said it was diligently gathering documents needed to provide a complete response and requested additional time.
Control of the party
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The faction supported Mamata Banerjee’s authority to appoint party office bearers and opposed the challenge to her authority.
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
Ritabrata Banerjee challenged Mamata Banerjee’s authority to appoint party office bearers and sought recognition for his faction.
Use of the party identity
Mamata Banerjee Faction
The faction sought to continue contesting under the Trinamool Congress identity and symbol, but the commission barred both sides from using them for these bye-elections.
Ritabrata Banerjee Faction
The faction also sought recognition as the legitimate Trinamool Congress, but must use a different name and symbol under the interim order.
Key facts
- Affected elections
- Bye-elections for two West Bengal Assembly seats and the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam.
- Polling date
- October 6.
- Nomination deadline
- September 16.
- Rebel faction leader
- Ritabrata Banerjee.
- Extensions
- The Election Commission gave the rebel faction three extensions over two months, according to the order.
- Final response
- Ritabrata Banerjee’s faction submitted its response on September 11.
- Interim arrangement
- Both factions must use newly approved party names and symbols for now.
Quotes
Election Commission
The constitutional body deciding the dispute over the Trinamool Congress name and symbol
“Why has this additional time and special treatment been given to the other side after they failed to meet the original deadline?”
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“This issue cannot simply be left hanging”
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Sources
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