‘Black day’: Mamata Banerjee criticizes ECI freeze on TMC name, symbol
Calls move unconstitutional, says institutions are being manipulated for political purposes
New Delhi: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has criticized the decision of Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to freeze the party’s original name and traditional election symbol, describing the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the ECI’s interim order barred both rival factions of the Trinamool Congress from using the party’s name, ‘All India Trinamool Congress’, and its traditional ‘Jora Ghash Phul’ (Flowers and Grass) symbol amid an ongoing dispute over control of the party. The poll panel subsequently allotted the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Football Player’ symbol to the Banerjee-led faction, while the rival group led by Arup Roy was given the name ‘Democratic Trinamool Congress’ and the ‘Envelope’ symbol for the October 6 bypolls.
Reacting to the ECI’s interim order, Banerjee said that the poll panel had acted under political pressure and described the move as “unconstitutional, illegal, and undemocratic” and driven by vendetta to satisfy the ego of a political party.
Kashmiris observe India’s Independence Day as Black Day today
“We don’t disrespect the Constitutional Chair, but we feel today is a black day in our democratic history,” she said.
Banerjee also said that attempts to deprive her faction of both the party name and symbol had been planned in advance.
She warned those in power against overstepping their authority, saying, “They had said beforehand, ‘naam bhi rakhne doonga, nishaan bhi nahi rakhne doonga’ (Neither let you keep the name nor the symbol). Who are these people? They are in power today; they might not be in power tomorrow. They should understand their limitations.”
She further said that the ruling party at the Centre was engineering splits in opposition parties, referring to divisions in the Shiv Sen and Nationalist Congress Party.
Banerjee also said that central investigative agencies and electoral processes were being manipulated for political purposes.
“They have already planned false FIRs, false elections, and manipulated counting… Counting agents were thrown out. They hijacked the counting after a few rounds, and we know who the mastermind is. It is a conspiracy. We are not mentioning their name right now, but if necessary, we will do that later on,” she said.
