Election Commission bars rival TMC factions from using party name, symbol in West Bengal Assembly bypolls

The Election Commission on Thursday barred both rival Trinamool Congress (TMC) factions from using the party’s name and reserved election symbol in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls, according to an interim order.

The decision comes ahead of the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, where factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee have fielded candidates while claiming the TMC identity and its twin-flowers-on-grass symbol.

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The two factions have been contesting each other’s claim over control of the party, its name and election symbol. The poll panel has heard submissions from both sides and examined documents submitted during the proceedings.

Under its interim directions, the Election Commission has asked both factions to contest the bypolls using a different party name and an election symbol from those notified by the panel.

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The Commission has also directed both groups to submit three choices each for their preferred party names and election symbols by Friday morning.