New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday decided to freeze the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress’ and its symbol ‘Flowers and Grass’, pending a final order.
Consequently, neither of the two Trinamool factions — one led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the other by rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee – will be able to use the party’s name and symbol in the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls scheduled to be held on October 6.
In its interim order, the ECI said there are two rival groups in the All India Trinamool Congress, and both are claiming to be the party.
Its decision is meant “to place both the rival groups on even keel and to protect their rights and interests.”
Both groups have been asked to provide three name options in order of preference and three free symbols, also in order of preference by 11 am on September 18. The Commission will approve one name and allot one symbol to each group.