The Supreme Court has set a timetable for resolving the dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress name and its flower-and-grass election symbol. The Election Commission must complete its final decision within 3 months after the 2 rival factions finish presenting their arguments.
The court directed both sides to complete their submissions before the Election Commission within 4 weeks. The order was issued while hearing a petition filed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
What the court directed
A bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana instructed the Election Commission to decide the dispute after the rival factions complete the ongoing proceedings before it.
The timetable creates 2 stages for the proceedings:
- Both factions must finish their arguments within 4 weeks.
- The Election Commission must deliver its final decision within 3 months of the completion of those arguments.
The dispute concerns control over the All India Trinamool Congress name and the party's reserved election symbol, described as a flower and grass symbol.
Why Mamata Banerjee approached the court
Banerjee filed the petition after the Election Commission issued an interim decision preventing both factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved election symbol until the dispute is finally decided.
The commission's interim action followed proceedings involving leaders of the 2 rival groups. The factions are led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy, according to the material on the case.
The Election Commission subsequently allotted separate names and election symbols to the 2 groups while the main dispute remains pending.
Election Commission's interim position
In its interim order, the commission said the matter required a substantive decision under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. That order followed hearings involving leaders associated with both factions.
The Supreme Court's direction does not itself decide which faction will retain the All India Trinamool Congress name or the flower-and-grass symbol. Instead, it requires the Election Commission to complete the pending process within the deadlines set by the court.
Conclusion
The Election Commission now has to complete the dispute process on a defined schedule: the rival factions have 4 weeks to finish their submissions, followed by a 3-month period for the final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the TMC dispute about?
It concerns the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved flower-and-grass election symbol.
Q. What deadline has the Supreme Court set for the rival factions?
Both factions must complete their arguments before the Election Commission within 4 weeks.
Q. When must the Election Commission issue its final decision?
The commission must decide the matter within 3 months after the factions complete their submissions.
Q. Who filed the petition before the Supreme Court?
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee filed the petition.
Q. Can both factions currently use the disputed name and symbol?
No. The Election Commission's interim decision prevents both groups from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved election symbol until the dispute is finally decided.
Q. What legal order is involved in the proceedings?
The Election Commission referred to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, while saying that a substantive decision was required.
