Kolkata, 18 September (H.S.) : The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee has questioned the timing of the Election Commission of India's decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress election symbol, alleging that the poll panel deliberately delayed its ruling until after the nomination process for the Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly by-elections had concluded.

In a statement posted on X, West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar stated that the dispute over the Trinamool Congress symbol had been pending for an extended period and should have been resolved much earlier. He pointed out that the commission announced its verdict precisely on the day nominations for the two by-elections closed and scrutiny was completed, arguing that the timing casts deep suspicion on the panel's motives.

Reaffirming his party's commitment to multi-party parliamentary democracy, Sarkar described political competition and ideological differences as integral components of a democratic system. If someone has to be defeated, we will do it through parliamentary democracy. If someone has to be politically wiped out, it will be done by the people of Bengal, by the verdict of the people, he said.

Drawing comparisons with political disputes in Maharashtra involving the Shiv Sena, Sarkar accused the Election Commission of executing a similar role in the Trinamool symbol controversy. He alleged that the poll body is functioning as a branch organization of the BJP, attempting to systematically sideline a specific political party from the electoral arena. Calling it a dangerous signal for parliamentary democracy, he strongly condemned the move.

Simultaneously, the state Congress chief clarified that his party's political opposition to the Trinamool remains unchanged. He accused the state government of presiding over misrule, capturing Congress offices, and orchestrating attacks on party workers. However, Sarkar argued that political enmity does not justify the Election Commission acting at the behest of the ruling central party, warning that the panel's submissive attitude weakens the foundations of democracy.

The commission's directive stems from an ongoing internal leadership dispute between rival factions led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Assembly Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee. Citing Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968, the panel noted that the matter requires a substantive determination. Until a final decision is reached regarding party ownership and funds, neither faction is permitted to use the reserved symbol or name.

The interim order directly impacts the October 6 by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar, forcing both rival camps to contest without the traditional party symbol. The commission had directed both groups to submit three preferred alternative names and free symbols by the morning of September 18.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh