Mamata Banerjee

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MA Baby has reached out to non-NDA parties, including the Trinamool Congress, seeking wider opposition cooperation. Speaking on his conversation with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said: "INDIA bloc is important, but it has to be INDIA bloc plus." The initiative seeks to bring together parties outside the National Democratic Alliance on national issues, despite decades of regional rivalry between the Left and the Trinamool Congress in Bengal.

A Trinamool Congress leader's car was gheraoed and attacked in Uttarpara, Hooghly district, while en route to a public rally addressed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Serampore. A group of people carrying black flags surrounded the vehicle, shouted slogans, pelted eggs, and smashed the rear window, causing minor injuries from shattered glass. While Trinamool Congress alleged that the incident was orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party to disrupt the rally, the opposition party rejected the allegations. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Opposition parties are uniting to seek the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee reaching out to long-time political rival CPI(M) and holding discussions with Rahul Gandhi to convene an all-opposition meeting in Delhi. CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby wrote to INDIA bloc constituents on 23 September, drawing a swift response from Banerjee, whose party MPs are reportedly in touch with left leaders at the Centre. TMC asserts that rivalries must be set aside to save democracy. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party mounted an attack, stating that neither the Trinamool Congress nor the CPI(M) holds significant presence in West Bengal following recent assembly elections. Calling the unity a survival tactic and optics, the BJP stated that the opposition must take their proof to court rather than protesting on the streets. Congress members have staged nationwide street protests, including demonstrations in Kolkata, as opposition parties amplify their agitation against the CEC.

In a rare political development, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has backed Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary M.A. Baby's proposal for a joint opposition strategy. Responding promptly to Baby's letter, Banerjee urged opposition forces to set aside differences and unite to protect democracy. The two leaders also held a cordial telephonic conversation, discussing joint action regarding the Election Commission. Banerjee highlighted ongoing talks between Rajya Sabha MPs of both parties and mentioned recent discussions with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, pitching for an urgent opposition meeting in Delhi to formulate the next plan of action.

The Congress party has escalated its attack on the Election Commission of India over changes introduced to Form 6, which is required for new voter registration. Alleging that alterations were made without statutory notification or required rule amendments under the Representation of the People Act, the party argued that the Chief Election Commissioner lacked the power to amend the form. Congress leaders demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the matter, citing barriers created for first-time young voters. Concurrently, broader consultations have begun among opposition outfits under an expanded front. Archrivals Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) held telephonic talks, with Mamata Banerjee and M.A. Baby discussing joint opposition action and nationwide campaigns. Outfits including the Aam Aadmi Party, Biju Janata Dal, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and DMK have also been approached to build a common platform against alleged commission irregularities.

Massive protests led by the Indian Youth Congress and Congress state units broke out across multiple cities, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Patna, and Hyderabad, demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Chandigarh, police used water cannons against protesters, while youth workers marched towards the Election Commission office in Delhi before being stopped by barricades and paramilitary personnel. The demonstrations follow allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders concerning the functioning of the Election Commission of India and alleged centralization and manipulation of electoral rolls. While the opposition prepares strategy for street demonstrations and explores parliamentary steps including a potential impeachment motion, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the poll body and dismissed allegations, asserting that electoral rolls are decentralized and accusing the opposition of making excuses for electoral setbacks.

Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has filed a police complaint at the Parliament Police Station in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar. Speaking on the matter, Moitra alleged that decisions conveyed by the Election Commission were falsified by one individual without majority consent, arguing that statutory immunity under Section 16 of the CEC and EC Act 2023 does not apply. The Election Commission dismissed the allegations, asserting that unanimous decisions were taken. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav, have demanded the CEC's arrest, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and calling for past elections to be declared null and void alongside holding fresh polls.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has faced strong criticism following an Indian Express report detailing internal objections raised by two Election Commissioners regarding the special intensive revision process. Key concerns highlight modifications made to Form 6, the centralization of electoral roll data, and restricted portal access for Electoral Registration Officers. In response, opposition parties have strongly condemned the developments, demanding legal accountability, the immediate removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, and fresh elections in multiple states. Leaders accused the poll authority of compromising democratic integrity. Conversely, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party defended the commission, asserting that divergent viewpoints during internal deliberations reflect democratic functioning rather than institutional compromise. The party maintained that the legal validity of the exercise has been upheld by the Supreme Court and dismissed opposition claims as politically motivated.

A report highlighting repeated objections from two election commissioners over voter roll revisions has triggered a political storm around the Election Commission of India. Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raised 14 objections over 10 months concerning the Special Summary Revision exercise, modifications to voter registration Form 6, database centralisation, and digital access issues. Concerns also extended to voter roll processes in West Bengal and software glitches affecting eligible voters in Goa. Key questions surfaced over requirements for parents' and grandparents' details without formal rule amendments. The disclosures have drawn sharp reactions from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal, who demanded strict accountability and targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rejecting allegations of an internal rift, the Election Commission maintained that internal dissenting notes and diverse viewpoints reflect routine checks and balances within statutory frameworks. The Bharatiya Janata Party defended the poll body, describing internal deliberations and differences of opinion as evidence of a functioning democracy.

A major political debate has erupted following allegations against Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the electoral process. The Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties have demanded answers and sought re-elections across states where special revision was conducted. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the democratic process, citing official notes from the Election Commission of India. The BJP highlighted assembly election trends in West Bengal, arguing that opposition parties were the primary beneficiaries in seats with significant voter deletions, while dismissing opposition demands as an attempt to capture power without winning public support.

Political tensions escalate in West Bengal ahead of the Nandigram and Rajinagar by-elections. In Rajinagar, Mamata Banerjee camp's candidate Rabiul reversed his withdrawal decision within hours and confirmed he will contest under a new symbol. This follows the withdrawal of candidate Sanchita Pradhan in Nandigram, where the faction decided to back the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan. Hours later, Pradhan was arrested in connection with 19-year-old cases, triggering allegations of political vendetta from opposition leaders. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee's faction has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission's decision over the party name and symbol, alongside filing a petition against ten rebel Trinamool Congress MLAs.

Sources indicate that the All India Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee faction candidate for Rajinagar will contest elections on a temporary symbol of a football player. This development follows concerns raised regarding party cadre safety and the last-minute alteration of the party name and symbol. Earlier, candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury had expressed apprehension over voter recognition following the sudden administrative changes, alongside allegations that party workers were facing threats and intimidation.

High political drama unfolds across West Bengal ahead of the upcoming assembly by-polls. In Rajnagar, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress faction candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury made a dramatic U-turn, deciding to contest the election just hours after announcing the withdrawal of his candidature over party cadre safety concerns and symbol changes. The decision to stay in the fray came after he sought security assurances at the Beldanga Police Station and received outreach from senior party leaders. Meanwhile, in Nandigram, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was produced before the Haldia court following his arrest in four old cases, including murder charges and the Arms Act, shortly after receiving support from Mamata Banerjee's camp. The Congress leadership, led by State Congress President Subhankar Sarkar, strongly backed Pradhan, while party cadres prepared for protests against the sudden police action during the nomination window.

Political developments in West Bengal show major challenges for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress faction ahead of key assembly by-polls. The party's candidate from Rezinagar, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, withdrew his nomination, citing difficulties in popularising a new party symbol, alleged intimidation, and a lack of ground-level cadre support. This follows the earlier withdrawal of candidate Sanchita Pradhan in Nandigram, where the party subsequently extended support to the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan, who was later arrested in connection with pending criminal cases. Following an interim ruling by the Election Commission of India recognising two separate factions—Mamata Banerjee All India Trinamool Congress and the rebel Democratic Trinamool Congress—the Mamata Banerjee-led group faces operational hurdles and has approached the Supreme Court of India seeking legal relief.

The dispute over the control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has reached the Supreme Court after the Election Commission allotted interim party names and symbols to the Mamata Banerjee camp and the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee for upcoming bypolls. The Mamata camp challenged the poll panel's decision to freeze the original TMC name and flower-and-grass symbol, arguing that the Election Commission failed to adequately consider the party's organizational structure while taking into account claims from rebel leaders facing disqualification petitions. A separate petition was also filed by the Mamata faction challenging the State Assembly Speaker's delay in ruling on disqualification pleas against ten rebel MLAs, while also contesting Ritabrata Banerjee's recognition as the Leader of the Opposition.

Political tensions escalate ahead of the Nandigram by-polls following the arrest of Congress candidate Milind Pradhan. The Bharatiya Janata Party targeted the Congress over its allegations of political vendetta, pointing out that Pradhan has four pending arrest warrants dating back to 2007, involving three murder cases and one arms-related offence in Purba Medinipur. While the Congress has questioned the timing of the arrest right before the polls, the BJP maintained that election authorities acted upon complaints under the rule of law. The political showdown intensified following Trinamool Congress support for the candidate, as the matter moves towards court proceedings.

On this edition of Super 6, discussions focus on major political and legal developments across southern states.

The Election Commission has frozen the original Trinamool Congress party name and its twin flower symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal by-polls following a split. The commission allotted temporary identities to both factions: Mamata Banerjee's camp received the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the football player symbol, while the rebel faction was named Democratic Trinamool Congress with the envelope symbol. The rebel camp claimed the support of 64 out of 80 MLAs. Both sides traded charges, with the rebel faction criticising party functioning and Mamata's camp calling the decision undemocratic. Opposition allies condemned the move, while the BJP dismissed any involvement in the internal feud.

The Election Commission of India has officially allocated interim names and symbols to the two factions of the Trinamool Congress following a split in the party. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been named Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the symbol of a football player. Meanwhile, the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been designated as the Democratic Trinamool Congress with an envelope symbol. The original TMC name and symbol have been frozen pending a substantive determination by the commission. These temporary allocations will be used for the upcoming by-elections in West Bengal's Rajnagar and Nandigram constituencies scheduled for October 6. The split comes amid ongoing legal battles in the courts and before the speaker regarding disqualification petitions and control over party assets, while political opponents have described the internal developments as an implosion within the party.

The Election Commission of India has frozen the Trinamool Congress party name and its twin flower symbol for the upcoming by-elections in West Bengal, barring both the Mamata Banerjee-led faction and the rebel faction headed by Ritabrata Banerjee from using them. Following the interim order, both factions were directed to submit alternative names and symbols to the poll panel. The Mamata Banerjee camp has proposed using her name alongside Trinamool Congress, citing her identity as the primary face of the party. Meanwhile, the rebel faction has suggested incorporating terms such as democratic or nationalist with the party name, contending that political leadership cannot be inherited. The interim decision comes ahead of by-polls in Rajarhat and Nandigram, with the commission reviewing the submitted proposals to allot temporary names and symbols to enable candidates to campaign.