- EC reserves TMC's 'twin flowers' symbol.
- Dispute between Mamata and Ritabrata factions.
- Factions to use new names for bypolls.
The Election Commission of India on Thursday decided to reserve the Trinamool Congress symbol 'twin flowers' or 'two flowers on grass' amid a dispute between Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee-led factions. The poll body has asked the two blocks to pick different names and symbols until its final verdict, as bypolls on Nandigram and Rejinagar seats are scheduled to be held on October 6.
In its interim order, the poll body stated that neither the Mamata Banerjee-led faction nor the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction, represented by Arup Roy, will be allowed to use the party name and symbol until a final determination on the matter.
"Neither of the two groups led by Shri Arup Roy (Petitioner) and the other led by Ms Mamata Banerjee (Respondent) shall be permitted to use the name of the party All India Trinamool Congress," the order stated.
The ECI said its decision aimed to place rival blocs on an 'even keel' and protect their rights and interests. The poll body's order will remain in force until the final determination of the dispute.
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"On due consideration of the totality of information available on record... the commission is of the opinion that there are two rival groups in the All India Trinamool Congress, one led by Ms Mamata Banerjee and the other led by Shri Arup Roy," the interim order said.
"Each group is now claiming to be the party, and therefore the matter requires a substantive determination by the Commission under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968," it said.
The decision was taken hours after both the factions met the poll body separately in New Delhi. During the meeting, the two factions reiterated their claims on both the party and its symbol.
The poll body has directed the two factions to submit three preferred names and three preferred symbols to it by Friday at 11 AM. Based on the options, the EC will allot one symbol and a name to each group.