The Supreme Court has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to expedite its decision on the dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) name and its ‘flowers and grass’ election symbol.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a petition filed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenging the ECI’s interim order freezing the use of the TMC name and symbol by rival factions.
The Court took note of Banerjee’s grievance that the dispute had remained pending before the ECI and asked the poll panel to indicate a “realistic” timeframe for completing the proceedings.
CJI Kant asked the ECI for a realistic schedule that balances fairness with efficiency, allowing both sides to share evidence and giving the Commission enough time to make an informed decision without delaying the case.
The dispute arose after rival factions led by Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee claimed the TMC’s name, election symbol and organisational control.
On September 17, the ECI passed an interim arrangement preventing both factions from using the TMC name and ‘flowers and grass’ symbol for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the football player symbol, while the rival faction was allotted Democratic Trinamool Congress and the envelope symbol.
The arrangement assumes significance as Assembly by-elections are scheduled to be held on October 6 in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mamata Banerjee, said he was not seeking a stay on the by-elections but urged the Court to direct the ECI to conduct day-to-day hearings and decide the dispute expeditiously.
Sibal questioned the timing of the ECI’s interim order, pointing out that Banerjee’s faction had filed its response before the Commission on July 2.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the rival faction, said his clients were ready to cooperate with the ECI proceedings.
ECI counsel Neeraj Kishan Kaul said the Commission had no objection to an expeditious decision but submitted that prescribing a very short deadline could be unreasonable. He also argued that the ECI has the power to pass appropriate interim directions while adjudicating disputes concerning party recognition and symbols.
The Supreme Court will consider the matter further on September 28.
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