New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- The Election Commission on Saturday heard both rival factions of the Trinamool Congress over their competing claims to the party's name, organisation, assets and election symbol, with the dispute assuming greater significance ahead of the October 6 Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly bypolls.
The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction, which claims the support of around 60 of the 80 newly elected Trinamool MLAs, sought recognition as the "Original Trinamool" and staked claim to the party's name, assets and original symbol.
The faction made oral submissions before the full EC bench, responded to its queries and submitted documents. The commission subsequently sought additional papers from the group.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction, meanwhile, relied on the party's existing organisational structure and submitted details of its National Working Committee and other organisational arrangements to establish its claim to continuity and legitimacy.
The EC's decision is not expected to depend solely on legislative numbers.
The commission is likely to examine the rival factions' documentary evidence, organisational support and legislative strength under the applicable election law before deciding which side, if any, should retain the recognised party identity and symbol.
The dispute has acquired urgency as nominations for the two bypolls close on September 16. Control of the symbol would give the winning faction immediate electoral recognition and an advantage in voter identification and campaign mobilisation.
The Ritabrata faction has indicated that its candidates could contest as independents if denied the symbol.
Political observers believe the EC may keep the matter pending and refrain from allowing either faction to use the symbol until a final decision is reached.
Both sides could also approach the Supreme Court against an EC order.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.