Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has approached the Supreme Court of India to contest the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) recent interim directive. This directive temporarily froze the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ (AITC) and its associated ‘Flowers & Grass’ election symbol. The controversy stems from competing claims by two factions within the party, led by Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition, Ritabrata Banerjee, who both assert rights over the party’s name, symbol, and control.
The Election Commission’s interim decision, rendered on September 17, followed hearings from representatives of both factions. The ruling effectively bars both groups from using the AITC name and ‘Flowers & Grass’ symbol in the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections.
Under the temporary arrangement, the faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been assigned the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ along with the ‘Football Player’ symbol. Meanwhile, the opposing faction has been designated as ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ with the ‘Envelope’ symbol. This arrangement is particularly significant as the Assembly by-elections in the Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies are set for October 6.
The internal party conflict reached the Election Commission’s doorstep after Ritabrata Banerjee’s faction claimed the existing party structure was invalid. However, Mamata Banerjee’s group refuted this claim, asserting that their organizational framework remains legitimate.
Mamata Banerjee’s petition was filed on September 18 through her legal representative, advocate Abhinav Singh, seeking to overturn the Election Commission’s interim order.
As the legal battle unfolds, the decision of the Supreme Court will be pivotal in determining the future identity and organizational structure of the Trinamool Congress, a key political player in the region.
