SC Agrees to 'Urgently' Hear Mamata’s Bid to Keep TMC’s Flower-and-Grass Symbol
The Election Commission on Friday temporarily allotted different names and symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after both claimed authority over the traditional flower and grass symbol.
By Sakshi
New Delhi, September 21: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea submitted by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, challenging the Election Commission’s decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress’ name, flower-and-grass symbol.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, questioning the timing of the election authority’s decision.
"They issue a notification, and in the middle of the notification, they freeze the symbol. What is going on? We want urgent listing," Sibal submitted.
What Happened?
The Election Commission on Friday temporarily allotted different names and symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after both claimed authority over the traditional flower and grass symbol. While Mamata Banerjee’s faction was given the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and a footballer as its symbol, the Arup Roy camp was recognised as the ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’, with an ‘envelope’ as its symbol.
The timing of the matter is particularly important. West Bengal is set to hold bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar on October 6. During the nomination process, both factions of the disputed TMC appeared, seeking to contest the polls using the original symbol.
When the matter was brought before the Election Commission, the poll panel on Thursday night said it required substantive determination by the poll body under the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
The Nandigram seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari, who had also won the Bhabanipur constituency, left the seat. Bhabanipur was traditionally a stronghold of Mamata Banerjee.
The Rejinagar seat was also left without an MLA after Humayun Kabir, a former TMC leader who floated the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), resigned. Kabir had contested from two constituencies. After winning the Nawda seat as well, he quit Rejinagar.
