Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata: Election Commission may bring a resolution to the dispute over Trinamool Congress ’s party name, symbol and funds — claimed by both the Mamata Banerjee camp and the faction led by MLA Ritabrata Banerjee — before Sept 16, the deadline for filing nominations for Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls. EC has sought to meet netas of both factions at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi on Sept 12, said a senior official. Today is Sept 9.
Without a resolution during the nomination process, neither faction will likely be permitted to contest the bypolls under the party’s name and symbol, said another official. We will watch the developments, and if necessary, we will fight this battle in the courts. ” Party MP Mahua Moitra said, “First, EC deleted 27 lakh Bengal voters. It also submitted a formal plea, bearing the signature of MLA Arup Ray, to EC as All India Trinamool Congress. The faction indicated that it will field a candidate for Nandigram bypoll, adding that it will refrain from contesting only if Mamata Banerjee herself contests Nandigram poll. They (the rebel camp) failed to reply. Why is the delay being allowed? Is there some understanding? Trinamool Congress is legally and ethically Mamata Banerjee’s. Now it is the arbitrator of party symbol dispute.”
On Wednesday, a team from TMC’s Ritabrata faction met Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) Neelam Meena and urged her to ensure free, fair and peaceful bypolls.