Supreme Court to hear Mamata Banerjee’s plea on September 24 challenging the Election Commission’s interim freeze on the Trinamool Congress name and Flowers and Grass symbol amid the ongoing factional dispute ahead of West Bengal by-elections.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Thursday, September 24, Mamata Banerjee’s plea challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) interim decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress’ established party name and reserved election symbol amid an ongoing dispute between rival factions. The matter is listed before a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana as members. The case is listed as a fresh civil matter for admission.
The petition filed by Mamata Banerjee challenges the poll panel’s interim decision to bar both rival factions from using the name “All India Trinamool Congress” and its reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol. The Election Commission took the step after rival groups staked competing claims to the party’s organisational identity and control. The matter has assumed significance ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-elections in West Bengal.
According to the Supreme Court Cause List, the matter has been placed at serial number 26 before the CJI-led Bench. Mamata Banerjee’s petition names the Election Commission of India, its Secretary and rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee as respondents. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, had sought urgent listing of the plea earlier this week, pointing to the timing of the ECI’s decision in relation to the by-election process.
During the mention for urgent listing, Sibal argued that the Election Commission had issued the by-election notification and subsequently frozen the party’s established symbol. CJI Surya Kant observed that the rival side would also have submissions to make and indicated that the matter would be listed for hearing. The Supreme Court subsequently scheduled the matter for September 24.
The Election Commission’s interim order followed a dispute in which two rival groups claimed recognition as the Trinamool Congress. The poll panel said the dispute required substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Pending such a determination, the commission barred the factions from using the established party name and symbol and directed them to provide alternative names and symbols for the upcoming by-elections.
Following the interim arrangement, the Election Commission allotted separate identities to the two groups. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee was assigned the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and the “Football Player” symbol. The rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee was allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol. The new identities were announced ahead of the October 6 by-elections.
The ECI’s decision applies to the upcoming by-elections in the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies. The freezing of the original name and symbol has therefore become directly connected with the electoral process, as candidates and factions prepare to contest the polls under the temporary identities allotted by the commission.
The dispute has also involved competing claims over the organisational and legislative structures of the party. The rival camp has sought recognition based on its claimed support among legislators, while the Mamata Banerjee-led faction has challenged the ECI’s interim arrangement and maintained its position regarding the party’s established identity. The rival claims are part of the broader dispute that has now reached the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court hearing on September 24 will therefore bring the ECI’s interim decision before the judiciary for consideration. The court’s proceedings will involve the challenge to the freezing of the “All India Trinamool Congress” name and the “Flowers and Grass” symbol, while the rival side and the Election Commission will have an opportunity to present their respective submissions.
| Also Read: West Bengal employees to receive October salary and enhanced DA early |
With the October 6 West Bengal by-elections approaching, the case has added a judicial dimension to the ongoing organisational dispute within the Trinamool Congress. The immediate issue before the court is Mamata Banerjee’s challenge to the Election Commission’s interim arrangement concerning the party’s name and reserved election symbol.
