Trinamool Congress
Both camps said they were expecting an interim order in view of the precedent set in Oct 2022 in the dispute arising from the Shiv Sena split. Grappling with similar conflicting claims ahead of the Oct 2022 Andheri East assembly bypoll, EC had invoked paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order to freeze ‘Shiv Sena’ name and its original ‘bow-and-arrow’ symbol, barring both groups from using these till a final ownership ruling could be made. He added that they had urged EC to take a decision at the earliest, given that nominations for Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly bypolls have to be filed by Sept 16. All these MLAs received Rs 25 lakh in their bank accounts from the party to contest the elections. ”
These are the same MLAs who fought the election on a TMC ticket five months ago under the party symbol signed by TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee.
Till the EC says otherwise, Trinamool ( Mamata Banerjee camp) will contest both the Rejinagar and Nandigram bypolls with its own symbol (two flowers on a single stem rising from grass),” said party MP and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, who represented Mamata camp before the EC. Stepping out of the meeting, rebel TMC neta Ritabrata Banerjee said, “All I can say is that in such cases, facts and supporting documents matter. But we feel Trinamool should not operate as a family-run party where all decisions depend on the whims of one particular person,” he said. The Mamata camp in a statement said, “The TMC delegation made it very clear that there is no dispute.
“The EC was anxious about passing an interim order. We strongly objected to it. We will take a call after the EC passes its order. Both factions were then instructed to choose from a list of available free symbols and pick temporary names with links to the parent party. “We presented our arguments to the best of our ability. The commission will take its decision under its constitutional authority. I am not Mamata Banerjee — I can’t predict the commission’s decision. There is the Mamata Banerjee-led party on one side and a bunch of traitors on the other.
Kolkata: Election Commission is likely to issue an interim order on claims by rival Trinamool Congress factions on the party’s name, symbol and assets, members of both camps indicated on Saturday after making their submissions before the poll panel in Delhi. Our delegation submitted most of the documents requested by the EC and we will submit the remaining papers today.