New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take a final decision on the dispute over the Trinamool Congress’ name and election symbol within three months after the completion of pleadings by both sides.
The court was hearing a plea filed by former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress founder Mamata Banerjee challenging the ECI’s interim order freezing the use of the “All India Trinamool Congress” name and its reserved ‘Flowers & Grass’ symbol.
In its September 17 interim order, the poll panel barred both rival factions from using the party’s original name and reserved symbol in the upcoming by-elections. The factions were instead asked to propose alternative names and free symbols until the dispute is finally decided.
Following the ECI’s directions, separate names and symbols were allotted to the two factions on September 18.
The faction led by Mamata Banerjee was allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the ‘Football Player’ symbol.
The faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee was given the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the ‘Envelope’ symbol.
The names and symbols are temporary arrangements applicable only to the upcoming by-elections. They do not amount to a final ruling on which faction is entitled to use the original Trinamool Congress name and its reserved symbol.
The Supreme Court’s direction requires the Election Commission to conclude the dispute within the stipulated three-month period after the parties complete their pleadings.
