Sanjay Raut criticises EC order freezing TMC name, symbol ahead of October 6 bypolls

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised the Election Commission’s interim order over the TMC’s name and symbol. File pic

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday criticised the Election Commission's interim decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress' name and reserved symbol, alleging that democracy would be at risk if the poll body took decisions under pressure.

Raut was speaking to reporters after the Election Commission ordered that neither faction involved in the dispute over the TMC would be allowed to use the party's name or its reserved ‘Flowers and Grass' symbol during the October 6 bypolls.

Raut backs Mamata Banerjee

Raut asserted that the Trinamool Congress belongs to former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and alleged that the BJP was behind a split in the party, news agency PTI reported.

"She (Banerjee) founded it (TMC) and decided its objectives. She also gave tickets to MLAs and MPs. But the BJP split the party. That does not mean the party belongs to them (rebels). The party belongs to Mamata Banerjee," he said.

Raut also stated that the Election Commission should not have frozen the party's symbol. He suggested that the rebel faction should contest the bypolls using another symbol.

"Democracy is in danger if the Election Commission is giving such decisions under duress," he said.

EC says matter requires substantive determination

The Election Commission issued its interim order on Thursday night after hearing leaders from the two factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy.

The poll body said the dispute requires substantive determination under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Until that determination is made, both factions have been barred from using the name ‘All India Trinamool Congress' and the reserved ‘Flowers and Grass' symbol in the October 6 bypolls.

The order comes amid an ongoing dispute between the two factions over the party's identity and election symbol.

Opposition parties criticise EC move

The Election Commission's decision has drawn criticism from Opposition parties, several of which have expressed support for the TMC amid its dispute with the rival faction.

The latest development is expected to have implications for the two groups as they prepare for the upcoming bypolls, with the poll body's interim restrictions remaining in force pending its substantive determination.

(With inputs from PTI)