The Election Commission has allotted separate names and electoral symbols to the rival factions of the Trinamool Congress amid an ongoing internal dispute over control of the party. The decision will allow the two groups led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy to contest the upcoming by-elections under different identities.
The faction led by Arup Roy has been allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress along with the Envelope electoral symbol. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol.
In its order, the Election Commission said both factions would be treated as recognised political parties in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.
The decision comes a day after the poll panel issued an interim order freezing the use of the name All India Trinamool Congress and the Flowers and Grass symbol. The interim measure was taken in view of the internal dispute between the two factions over control of the party.
The rival groups will now contest the upcoming by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar, scheduled for the 6th of next month, using the newly allotted names and symbols.
The Commission’s decision is expected to have a direct impact on the electoral contest, as voters in the constituencies will see the rival factions appearing on the ballot under separate identities and symbols.
