The Supreme Court on September 21, agreed to list former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s plea challenging the Election Commission of India’s interim decision to freeze the All India Trinamool Congress name and its reserved Flowers & Grass symbol.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, sought urgent listing and questioned the timing of the ECI’s decision while proceedings concerning the rival claims were pending.
“We are moving on behalf of Mamata Banerjee on this whole process of freezing the symbol... We filed our reply in July, and then in the middle of the notification they freeze the symbol. That is why I want urgent listing,” Sibal submitted.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked Sibal not to argue the merits at the mentioning stage, observing that the other side would also have submissions.
“Don’t argue now. Other side will also argue. Let it be listed,” the CJI said.
The ECI had restrained both factions from using the original party name and Flowers & Grass symbol for the upcoming by-elections. It subsequently allotted Mamata All India Trinamool Congress with the Football Player symbol to Banerjee’s faction, while the rival faction received Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol.
The Supreme Court consequently agreed to list Banerjee’s challenge to the ECI’s interim arrangement.
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