Mamata Banerjee moves Supreme Court against EC order freezing Trinamool Congress name, symbol

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) interim decision to freeze the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name and its reserved Flowers & Grass election symbol.

The dispute arose after rival factions led by Banerjee and West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee staked claim to the Trinamool Congress name, symbol and organisational control. The Election Commission heard representatives of both groups before passing its interim order on September 17.

The Election Commission’s interim arrangement prevents both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and the Flowers & Grass symbol for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has instead been allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol. The rival faction has been allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol.

The arrangement assumes significance in view of the Assembly by-elections to Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies scheduled for October 6.

The dispute over control of the party had reached the Election Commission after the Ritabrata Banerjee faction asserted that the existing organisational structure had ceased to be valid. The Mamata Banerjee camp contested this position and maintained that its organisational structure continues to be valid.

The petition by Banerjee before the Supreme Court was filed on September 18 through advocate Abhinav Singh.