The Election Commission of India has issued a directive that any faction emerging from the Trinamool Congress split in 2020 must not use the party’s name or symbol in the forthcoming by-elections in West Bengal. The ruling was made after a petition submitted by the primary Trinamool Congress. The Commission’s order seeks to avoid voter confusion and uphold the sanctity of the party’s electoral symbol.
Under the new directive, all candidates from these splinter groups will have to contest under a different name and will not be allowed to display the Trinamool symbol on nomination papers or campaign materials. The ban covers both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha bypolls scheduled in the state.
The decision follows the party’s request to protect its brand image and ensure that voters can clearly identify the official Trinamool candidates. It is expected that the ruling will be monitored closely by election officials during the campaign period.
