Tezzbuzz Desk- The Election Commission has allotted different names and election symbols to the two rival factions amid the internal dispute of the Trinamool Congress. Mamata Banerjee's faction has got the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and 'football player' symbol, while the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has been given the 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and 'Envelope' election symbol.
The Election Commission on Friday allotted new names and election symbols to both the rival factions of Trinamool Congress. According to the Commission's decision, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction has been named 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and 'football player' election symbol has been set for it. The other faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has got the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and 'Envelope' election symbol.
This decision has come amid the ongoing controversy over the name of Trinamool Congress and the traditional 'flower and grass' election symbol. Earlier on September 17, the Election Commission had issued an interim order barring both the groups from using the name 'All India Trinamool Congress' and its reserved 'flower and grass' symbol. The Commission had said that till the final decision is taken, both the parties will have to participate in the election process with different names and symbols.
This interim step of the Commission is also related to the upcoming by-elections. According to reports, both the factions were asked to choose new names and symbols ahead of the by-elections to Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats in West Bengal and Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam. Both the parties were instructed to give three names each and three options each from the available election symbols.
Following the instructions of the Commission, both the groups submitted their options within the stipulated time limit on Friday morning. The Election Commission then allotted a name and an election symbol to each faction. Now both the groups will participate in the electoral process in the respective by-elections with the same allotted identities.
This entire controversy started with the differences that emerged within the Trinamool Congress regarding leadership and party identity. Both the parties had staked their claim on the party's name and traditional election symbol. Till the final resolution of the dispute, the Commission has decided on separate temporary identities for both the parties by withholding the original name and symbol.
Now the process of taking the final decision regarding the name of the original party and the 'flower and grass' election symbol will proceed before the Commission. Till then, the new names and election symbols allotted to both the groups on Friday will remain in force.