ECI freezes AITC name & symbol, allots new ones to rival factions

Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday allotted the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the symbol of a 'football player' to the faction led by former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee following a dispute over the identity of the political party ahead of the by-elections in East Medinipur's Nandigram and Murshidabad's Rejinagar.

The ECI announced new symbols and names for both the factions of the erstwhile All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Friday with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction being allotted the 'envelope' symbol and being named the 'Democratic Trinamool Congress'.

A final decision on the ownership of the party's original name and its iconic 'flowers & grass' symbol is pending. The ECI clarified that the newly-allotted names and symbols would remain in force until it delivers a final verdict on the claim to the original party name and symbol. Until then, both factions will contest elections under their newly assigned identities.


Read more: TMC name, symbol frozen: Mamata, Ritabrata factions submit new choices to ECI

The ECI said in its order that "neither of the two groups, led by Arup Roy (the petitioner) and the other led by Mamata Banerjee (respondent), will be permitted to use the name of the party 'All India Trinamool Congress'. Neither of the two groups shall also be permitted to use the symbol 'flowers & grass', reserved for 'All India Trinamool Congress'". As per ECI's directions, both factions had submitted their respective choice of party names and symbols by 11 am on Friday. Both factions have been recognised as political parties in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.

The order will apply to the upcoming assembly by-polls in Nandigram in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, scheduled for October 6.

Banerjee has declared that she would support the Congress candidates in Assam and Nandigram.

The Ritabrata-led Democratic Trinamool Congress has fielded candidates in both Nandigram and Rejinagar.

Ritabrata Banerjee said the ECI's decision reinstated his faith in the democratic system. "Our party believes in collective and not individual leadership. It is not a private limited company with individual ownership! Private limited companies have no place in Indian politics," he said.

Confusion over 'Envelope'

There was a confusion over the "envelope" symbol allotted to the Ritabrata-led group as ISF, a political party has a similar symbol and its candidate has already filed nomination in Nandigram. "I have already filed a nomination with the envelope symbol. Now, I have asked the Returning Officer what can happen to my nomination," the ISF candidate wanted to know.