The Election Commission of India is poised to announce an interim order on the dispute surrounding the Trinamool Congress party's election symbol, sources said on Thursday. The commission has summoned representatives from both competing TMC factions to a hearing on the same day to resolve the matter before the upcoming bye-elections.
The controversy stems from the fact that two separate groups within the Trinamool Congress have independently declared candidates for the Nandigram and Raiganj assembly constituencies in West Bengal. Both factions have utilized the party's official election symbol — two flowers placed on a bed of grass — for their respective candidates, raising serious concerns about voter confusion and the integrity of the electoral process.
Bye-elections to the Nandigram and Raiganj seats are scheduled for October 6. These bypolls follow the resignation or death of sitting lawmakers, creating a vacuum that both TMC factions are keen to fill. Election Commission officials confirmed that both sides have filed nomination papers and staked their claims on the official party symbol.
The situation mirrors disputes that have arisen in other Indian states where regional parties have experienced internal splits, often leaving the Election Commission to arbitrate between rival camps claiming legitimate party authority. The commission typically considers factors such as the outcome of internal party polls, leadership recognition, and the scale of support each faction commands among elected representatives.
Legal experts noted that an interim order would likely restrict one or both factions from using the disputed symbol until a final decision is reached, potentially forcing affected candidates to run under a different emblem or face disqualification. The ruling will be closely watched by political observers across West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress remains a dominant force in state politics.
