Trinamool rebel faction meets EC over party name, symbol

A delegation of legislators from a faction of the Trinamool Congress led by Ritabrata Banerjee met with the full bench of the Election Commission of India in New Delhi on Thursday, July 2, to present its case for control of the party's name, organizational structure, and election symbol. The meeting marks a pivotal stage in an escalating internal crisis within the West Bengal-based political party.

The delegation, consisting of ten legislators including Banerjee, traveled to Delhi on Wednesday for the noon hearing at the Commission's headquarters. The faction, which claims to represent the majority of the party's elected members, argues it is the legitimate Trinamool Congress. Ritabrata Banerjee stated before the meeting that the delegation would present its case and discuss issues concerning the party's organizational structure.

The dispute stems from a deepening rift following the party's defeat in recent state elections. On June 22, the rebel group formed a new 30-member National Working Committee, removing Mamata Banerjee as national chairperson and appointing veteran legislator Arup Roy to that position. The faction claims that 60 of the party's 80 legislators in the West...