TMC and Its Election Symbol Put on Hold: Mamata Banerjee Faces a Major Hurdle..
The Election Commission of India has put on hold the two-name All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its poll icon, “Flowers and Grass,” till the legal battle over the rival factions’ claim on the party’s name and poll symbol is fought out. In its interim order, the poll panel said it could not accept the claim of either Mamata Banerjee or the other faction over the name and symbol of the party for the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. The Election Commission order comes ahead of the by-elections scheduled on October 6 in Nandigram and Rejinagar where candidates of both the rival factions are in the fray. The Election Commission has directed the Mamata Banerjee and Rejinagar camp to give three different names for the party and come up with three alternate election symbols from the free-symbol list for the by-elections. In the meantime, the two factions are barred from contesting the poll under the current party name and symbol. The poll panel has asked both the groups to come out with at least three names and symbols for the to decide upon one for the by-polls. The Election Commission has said the order will be deemed to be in force till the final award is given to either of the two camps. The Commission has said in its order that the issue of the dispute is “requiring an elaborate determination” under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.