His remarks came after the poll panel temporarily barred both rival factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved election symbol while their competing claims are examined.
The EC concluded that the party had two rival groups, one led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Arup Roy, with both claiming to represent the recognised political organisation.
“On due consideration of the totality of information available on record…the Commission is of the opinion that there are two rival groups in the All India Trinamool Congress, one led by Ms Mamata Banerjee and the other led by Shri Arup Roy, and each group is now claiming to be the party and therefore the matter requires a substantive determination by the Commission under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968,” the order said.
The freeze will have immediate consequences for the 6 October Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar. Both factions will have to contest under alternative names and symbols until the commission delivers its final determination in the dispute.
With IANS inputs
