Mamata Banerjee Moves SC Over TMC Symbol Freeze
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s interim decision to freeze the All India Trinamool Congress name and its traditional “Flowers and Grass” election symbol amid a dispute between rival factions of the party.
Mamata Challenges Election Commission’s TMC Order
Banerjee filed the petition on September 18, arguing that the Election Commission did not adequately consider the Trinamool Congress organisational structure while assessing competing claims to the party name and symbol.
Her plea has also questioned the Commission’s reliance on statements from rebel legislators who are facing disqualification proceedings under the Constitution’s anti-defection provisions.
The rival faction and the Election Commission have been named as respondents in the Supreme Court proceedings.
TMC Name and Flowers and Grass Symbol Frozen
The Election Commission issued its interim order on September 17 after rival groups asserted claims over the original Trinamool Congress identity. Until the dispute is finally decided, neither faction can use the All India Trinamool Congress name or the reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol.
For the upcoming by-elections, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction has been allotted the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol.
The rival grouping has been allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
Supreme Court Battle Over Trinamool Identity
Banerjee’s camp has separately raised the pending disqualification proceedings against rebel legislators before the West Bengal Assembly Speaker.
The Supreme Court challenge now places the Trinamool Congress leadership dispute before the country’s highest court while the Election Commission’s freeze remains an interim arrangement rather than a final determination of which faction is entitled to the original party identity.
