Kolkata, 18 September (H.S.) : Reacting strongly to the Election Commission of India’s interim order freezing the name and election symbol of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), West Bengal Assembly Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee stated that the ruling sends a clear message against dynastic politics. He emphasized that political parties cannot be treated as private entities or family inheritances.

Speaking on the ongoing party symbol dispute, Banerjee noted that the Election Commission’s decision came as an unexpected development for party leaders.

“…Just after getting off the plane, we found out that the symbol has been frozen, and the name has been frozen. However, one thing is clear: within a democracy, there is no place for dictatorship,” Banerjee remarked.

Linking the Election Commission’s directive to the broader national debate over the control, ownership, and internal democracy of political outfits, Banerjee argued that a party cannot be operated like a private limited company, nor can an individual inherit it as a family possession.

“This narrative that was going on regarding the symbol and the name, the Election Commission’s interim order today proves that there is no room for dynastic politics. A political party is not a private limited company, nor can there be an heir to a political party. This has been proven today,” he asserted.

Banerjee’s comments follow a major interim order by the Election Commission, which barred both warring factions from using the 'All India Trinamool Congress' name and its reserved 'twin flowers' symbol. The poll panel has directed both rival camps to select alternative names and free symbols until the organizational dispute is permanently resolved.

The Election Commission's decision carries immediate and significant implications for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. The poll panel had recently announced that by-polls for the Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies will be held on October 6.

In its detailed order, the Election Commission stated that after reviewing the available material, it concluded that two distinct and rival groups exist within the party, with both claiming to be the real All India Trinamool Congress.

“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, and each group is now claiming to be the party. Therefore, the matter requires a substantive determination by the Commission under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968,” the EC order noted.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh