The Election Commission of India (ECI) has allotted separate names and electoral symbols to the two rival factions involved in the dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), allowing their candidates in the upcoming by-elections to proceed with their nominations.
The decision comes after the poll panel froze the use of the party's name and the “Flowers & Grass” symbol by both groups in an order issued on September 17. The two factions were subsequently asked to submit preferred names and free symbols.
New names and symbols allotted
According to the Election Commission's September 18 order, the faction led by Arup Roy has been allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol. It will be treated as a recognised political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.
The group led by Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol. The Commission will also treat this faction as a recognised political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.
The arrangement has been made as the Commission considers the dispute under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968.
EC clears nominations amid dispute
The Commission's order addresses nominations filed for the Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, as well as the Nagaon parliamentary constituency in Assam.
In Rejinagar, Safiuzzaman Saikh had filed his nomination with a Form-B authorised by Arup Roy, while Rabiul Alam Chowdhury had submitted one authorised by Mamata Banerjee. In Nandigram, Ehteshmul Haque and Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) had similarly filed nominations with Form-Bs authorised by the two rival groups.
The EC said that without its intervention, the returning officer could have been required to reject nominations from both sides because they had been filed in the name of a party whose name and symbol had been frozen. The Commission said this could have affected fair electoral competition.
What happens to the candidates
Under the order, Safiuzzaman Saikh and Ehteshmul Haque will be treated as candidates of the “Democratic Trinamool Congress” with the “Envelope” symbol, subject to other statutory requirements.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) and Abdul Salam will be treated as candidates of the “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” with the “Football Player” symbol, again subject to the requirements under Section 36 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The returning officers have been directed to follow the order during scrutiny of nominations and allotment of symbols. The EC also clarified that it has not expressed an opinion on the validity of the nomination papers beyond the directions contained in the order.