ECI sets September 16 deadline for documents in Trinamool symbol dispute
The Election Commission has given Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee until 3 p.m. on September 16 to submit documents backing their claims to the Trinamool Congress symbol.
The Election Commission of India has extended the window for both former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Ritabrata Banerjee to file additional documents in support of their competing claims to the Trinamool Congress's election symbol. The papers, if either side wishes to submit them, must reach the Commission by 3 p.m. on September 16.
The same day marks the close of nominations for the Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, scheduled for October 6.
Both camps have said they intend to field candidates under the Trinamool symbol, the 'joda ghaash phool' (twin grass flowers). Drawing on the precedent set in the Shiv Sena case, sources indicated the Commission is likely to freeze the symbol temporarily.
The Mamata Banerjee side has placed on record fresh documents concerning the party's organisational elections held in 2015, 2017 and 2022, and has asked the Commission to publish all relevant material on its website. The filings are aimed at establishing that Ms. Banerjee holds the post of party chairperson.
"It takes 28 years to build a party. A rape accused can't destroy a party in four months without any paper," a senior Trinamool leader said.
The party also maintained that since July 2, when Mr. Ritabrata Banerjee first staked his claim to the party, he has not produced any documents to back it up.