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India’s Election Commission has, for now, declined to recognize either faction in the dispute over the Trinamool Congress’s long-standing election symbol, the ‘twin flowers’.
As a result, both the faction led by Mamata Banerjee and the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee will have to contest the October 6 West Bengal Assembly by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar without the symbol. Neither faction will also be allowed to use the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ for the time being.
Since the Trinamool Congress was founded in 1998, the ‘twin flowers’ symbol has been closely associated with the party’s political identity. The party has long maintained that Mamata Banerjee herself designed the symbol. However, different claims regarding its design have recently emerged.
As a result, the dispute over the symbol has expanded beyond an electoral emblem to questions surrounding the party’s legacy and political inheritance.
Following the Assembly elections, an internal dispute within the Trinamool Congress became public. Both the Mamata Banerjee-led faction and the group led by Ritabrata Banerjee claim to represent the real Trinamool Congress.
The two sides have approached the Election Commission over the party’s name, symbol, organizational control and ownership of its assets. The commission has heard arguments from both sides and has also sought various documents.
With the Nandigram and Rejinagar by-elections approaching, the situation has become more complicated. September 16 was the deadline for filing nominations, and both factions fielded their own candidates. In Nandigram, Mamata’s faction nominated Sanchita Pradhan Dey, while Ritabrata’s faction nominated Mohammad Ehteshamul Haque. In Rejinagar, Mamata’s faction nominated Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, while Ritabrata’s faction nominated Sheikh Safiuzzaman.
The key question now is what names and election symbols the two factions will use in the polls.
According to the commission’s directive, both factions will have to choose separate symbols from the list of available reserved symbols. They will also have to use separate identities instead of the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’.
However, the arrangement is not permanent. The situation could change after the Election Commission makes its final decision on ownership of the party’s name and symbol.
The Nandigram and Rejinagar by-elections, therefore, are not merely contests for two Assembly seats. They will also provide a test of the organizational strength, public support and political identity of the two Trinamool factions. Source: Media Report.