The Supreme Court of India has announced its decision to hear a petition filed by Mamata Banerjee, 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 announcement was made on Monday, following a motion by Banerjee’s legal representative, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal.
Sibal emphasized the urgency of the listing, noting that the proceedings before the ECI had commenced in June, with the Mamata Banerjee faction of TMC submitting their reply in July. However, the ECI froze the symbol shortly after the notification for the by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar was released. “We are here on behalf of Mamata Banerjee to address the ongoing process of freezing the symbol. Extraordinary measures have been taken. Despite the fact that proceedings began in June and our reply was submitted in July, the symbol was frozen amid an ongoing notification. We seek an urgent hearing to stay these actions,” Sibal argued.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant advised against delving into arguments immediately, highlighting that the opposing side would also present their case. “Don’t argue now. The other side will also argue. Let it be listed,” directed the CJI.
The legal conflict emerged after competing factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee claimed rights to the Trinamool Congress name, symbol, and organizational control. After hearing arguments from both sides, the Election Commission issued its interim order on September 17.
The ECI’s temporary order restricts both factions from utilizing the All India Trinamool Congress name and the Flowers & Grass symbol for the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. Consequently, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction received the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol, while the rival faction was assigned the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol.
This interim arrangement holds particular significance given the Assembly by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar scheduled for October 6. The dispute initially reached the ECI when the Ritabrata Banerjee faction challenged the validity of the existing organizational structure, a claim contested by the Mamata Banerjee camp, which maintains that its structure remains intact.
Mamata Banerjee filed her petition with the Supreme Court on September 18, represented by advocate Abhinav Singh.
