🔴 By | Arvind Jadhav
Kolkata: A dramatic turn in West Bengal politics, the Election Commission of India has interimly frozen the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ and its traditional ‘Jora Phool’ (twin flowers) election symbol amid an internal dispute within the Trinamool Congress. As a result, Mamata Banerjee’s faction will now have to enter the political arena under a new name and a new election symbol.
🟡 Why Were the Party Name and Symbol Frozen?
The Election Commission’s decision comes against the backdrop of an internal power struggle within the Trinamool Congress, with both factions staking claim to control of the party. The two sides submitted conflicting claims regarding the party’s organisational structure, office-bearers, support of MLAs and MPs, and resolutions passed at party meetings.
With no immediate clarity over which faction officially represents the Trinamool Congress, the Commission found it difficult to allot the party’s traditional name and symbol to either side until the dispute is resolved.
To prevent confusion among voters during the upcoming by-elections and ensure a level playing field for both factions, the Commission has decided to freeze the party name and symbol on an interim basis. Until a final decision is taken, both factions will have to contest elections under separate names and symbols.
🟡 Mamata Faction Gets New Name and Symbol
The Election Commission has allotted Mamata Banerjee’s faction the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’, along with the ‘Football Player’ symbol.
The rival faction, meanwhile, has been allotted the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Envelope’ symbol. These names and symbols will currently apply to the upcoming by-elections.
Major Change Ahead of October 6 By-Elections
The Commission’s decision assumes significance ahead of the upcoming by-elections in West Bengal. Both factions will now have to contest the polls under separate names and symbols.
The Election Commission has clarified that the freezing of the Trinamool Congress name and its traditional symbol is an interim arrangement. A final decision on the dispute over organisational control of the party is still pending.
🟡 Mamata Says Fight Will Continue Till the End
Mamata Banerjee has strongly reacted to the decision, opposing the freezing of the party’s name and symbol. She described the move as a black day for democracy and said that the fight against the decision would continue till the end.
The traditional Jora Phool symbol has been closely associated with Mamata Banerjee’s political identity for several years. The challenge before her faction will now be to establish its new identity among voters ahead of the upcoming elections.
🟡 Political Reactions
The Election Commission’s interim decision has triggered sharp political reactions in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee has criticised the freezing of the Trinamool Congress name and the Jora Phool symbol, arguing that the decision affects the political identity built by the party over the years.
The development has also become a point of political debate, with the rival faction maintaining its claim over the Trinamool Congress organisation. The competing positions of the two sides are expected to remain part of the political and legal proceedings until the Election Commission takes a final decision on the dispute.
