Ahead of the by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats of West Bengal, the controversy over the 'Envelope' election symbol has increased. ISF has expressed its objection to the decision of the Election Commission and said that it will take legal action.
Tezzbuzz Desk- Before the by-elections to be held on Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats in West Bengal, a new controversy has arisen regarding the election symbol. Indian Secular Front (ISF) has raised questions on the decision of the Election Commission regarding the 'Envelope' election symbol. ISF says that the party has already contested elections with the same symbol, so now it has objection to allotting it to another faction.
The Election Commission has allotted the 'Envelope' election symbol to the Ritabrata Banerjee-led Democratic Trinamool Congress faction. After this, ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui has warned of moving court against the commission's decision.
ISF contested the assembly elections for the first time in the year 2021. After this the party used the 'Envelope' election symbol in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. However, ISF does not have the status of a state or national level recognized party. In such a situation, the situation regarding allocation of election symbols may be different under the rules of the Election Commission.
Naushad Siddiqui said that ISF had already announced its candidate in Nandigram and the Election Commission was also given relevant information. Despite this, he raised questions on giving the 'Envelope' election symbol to any other organization. Siddiqui said the party will take legal action against the decision and a letter has already been sent to the commission.
At the same time, Ritabrata Banerjee said about the 'Envelope' election symbol that it is not a special election symbol of any one party. They say that this symbol has been allotted to them among the election symbols available to registered but unrecognized political parties. He thanked the Election Commission for this.
The situation regarding the election symbol is also under discussion on Rejinagar seat. Humayun Kabir's Aam Janata Unnayan Party has reportedly not got the 'Flute' election symbol. In such a situation, there is a possibility of giving 'Table' election symbol to the party.
On the other hand, the developments between Congress and Trinamool Congress regarding Nandigram by-election have also changed rapidly. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that the party will not remove its candidate Milan Pradhan from the election field. He raised questions about Pradhan's arrest and said that it should be made a national issue.
Congress claims that Milan Pradhan was arrested in an old case related to the 2007 Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement. Venugopal alleged that this action took place after Trinamool Congress supported the Congress candidate. He claimed that an attempt was made to put pressure on Pradhan to withdraw from the elections. However, the stand of the parties concerned on these allegations is also important.