Kolkata, 18 September (H.S.) : In a major political development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has placed an interim freeze on the name and the iconic 'twin flowers' (Jora Phul) election symbol of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The order comes just ahead of the high-stakes Assembly by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar scheduled for October 6, dealing a severe blow to both party supremo Mamata Banerjee and the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.

In its late-night directive on Thursday, the Commission stated that neither faction may use the name 'All India Trinamool Congress' or its reserved symbol until a definitive determination is made regarding which group represents the legitimate party and holds rightful ownership of party funds.

Marking a historic shift, this will be the first election in West Bengal in 28 years, since the party's formation in 1998, conducted without the 'twin flowers' symbol on the ballot. Under the interim order issued by the Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, both factions must contest the upcoming by-polls under distinct temporary names and select separate symbols from the list of available free symbols. However, the Commission permitted both sides to reference their affiliation with the 'All India Trinamool Congress' in their respective provisional names.

The party has been embroiled in an internal crisis following its recent defeat in the Assembly elections. The rebellion within the legislative wing saw the dissident faction oust Mamata Banerjee’s designated Leader of the Opposition, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, replacing him with Ritabrata Banerjee. On the organizational front, the rebels also established a parallel National Working Committee chaired by Arup Roy. Key leaders once considered staunch Mamata loyalists, including Chandrima Bhattacharya and Firhad Hakim, have aligned with the Ritabrata-led faction.

With the nomination deadline closing on Wednesday, both camps have already fielded their respective candidates. In Nandigram, the Mamata-led Kalighat faction has fielded Sanchita Pradhan Dey, while the Ritabrata faction has nominated Mohammad Ehtasham Ul Haq. In Rejinagar, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury is contesting for the Kalighat camp against the rebel candidate, Sheikh Safiuddin Zaman.

Senior leaders representing the Kalighat faction, including Kalyan Banerjee and Kunal Ghosh, declined to issue an immediate formal reaction, indicating that the party chief will address the matter on Friday. Sources close to Mamata Banerjee, however, characterized the Commission's decision as a concerted conspiracy involving the central government, the BJP, and the poll panel. Conversely, Akhruzzaman, a senior leader of the Ritabrata faction, welcomed the interim order, expressing confidence that the Commission’s final verdict will formally award the party name and symbol to their group, citing the support of a majority of district presidents and grassroots leadership.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh