Election Commission Freezes TMC Symbol Ahead Of West Bengal By-Polls

The Election Commission of India has frozen the Trinamool Congress party name and its conjoined flowers and grass symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. The order prohibits both rival factions from using the reserved party name and the Jora Ghashphal symbol. Both sides have been directed to submit three choices each for interim party names and symbols by 11:00 AM on September 18. According to the Election Commission's directives, the groups may incorporate a linkage to the parent party if they desire, and separate symbols will be allotted from the notified list for the by-polls. The dispute centres around the rivalry between the faction led by party founder Mamata Banerjee and the breakaway group associated with Ritabrata Banerjee, who is contesting the Nandigram by-poll. While the Ritabrata Banerjee faction stated it would abide by the decision, the development marks a significant shift for the party founded on January 1, 1998, after breaking away from the Indian National Congress.

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