Supreme Court Seeks Timeline for Trinamool Dispute

The Supreme Court on September 24 asked the Election Commission of India to provide a realistic timetable for deciding which of two rival factions is entitled to the Trinamool Congress name and its Flowers and Grass election symbol. The court scheduled another hearing for September 28, but no final decision or timetable has been established. The dispute involves factions led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee, each claiming control of the party. Mamata Banerjee has challenged the Election Commission’s interim order, issued on September 17, which bars both groups from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and Flowers and Grass symbol in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly byelections. That interim arrangement remains in place. The court asked the commission to allow both sides a fair opportunity to present evidence while ensuring the proceedings do not drag on. It also said the commission should have adequate time to consider the material before reaching a final decision. The commission was asked to provide a realistic timeframe for completing the process.