Mamata urges EC to end TMC dispute inquiry, reject rival camp's request for more time

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the Election Commission to conclude its inquiry into the dispute over the Trinamool Congress' name, election symbol and organisational control, saying the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee should not be given any further extension to respond.

In a letter to Election Commission Secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal on Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee said the matter should be decided "as early as possible" because it has "serious political ramifications in West Bengal."

The TMC founder-chairperson said her faction had submitted its detailed response to the commission on July 6, within the deadline set by the poll panel. She said a copy was also sent to Ritabrata Banerjee, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, by email and speed post.

According to Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission had initially asked both sides to submit their responses by July 6. The deadline for Ritabrata Banerjee was later extended to July 10 and then to July 25 after he sought an additional 15 days.

Mamata Banerjee said her faction had not been informed whether the rival camp had submitted its response even after the July 25 deadline.

She argued that the rival faction should not be given another opportunity to respond, saying it had already received two extensions.

"We firmly believe because of the extension of time granted by you, Shri Ritabrata Banerjee and others are trying to create false evidence to develop their case since they do not have any merit in respect of their allegations which we have firmly disputed," she said in the letter.

She also said the rival camp should not be allowed to introduce a new case beyond the representations it had submitted to the commission on June 22.

"There should be a level playing field for us to meet the grievances made by them... and for them to deal with our contentions," she wrote, urging the commission not to grant any further extension.

"Since the matter has serious political ramifications in West Bengal, I would request you to conclude the investigation as early as possible without providing them with any further date to submit their comments," she said.

The dispute before the Election Commission could determine which faction is recognised as the Trinamool Congress and is entitled to use its name and election symbol. It could also affect control over the party's organisational structure and financial assets.

The dispute follows an internal power struggle within the TMC, with rival factions staking claims to the party's leadership and organisational control.

Both sides have approached the Election Commission, prompting the poll panel to seek detailed submissions before deciding which faction represents the recognised political party under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order.

The dispute comes after the TMC's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections in May, which ended its 15-year rule in the state.