Overview
- The contest began when the Ritabrata Banerjee-led group approached the Election Commission on July 2 claiming to be the ‘real’ All India Trinamool Congress and asking the panel to recognise its organisational changes.
- Mamata Banerjee's camp filed a detailed response by the EC deadline on July 6 and has repeatedly told the commission it met the procedure and timing set by the poll body.
- The EC granted the rival camp two deadline extensions, first to July 10 and then to July 25, and Mamata wrote on Wednesday to urge the commission not to give any further time.
- In her July 29 letter Mamata alleged the extra time has been used to manufacture fresh evidence and argued that the rival faction’s failure to meet earlier deadlines amounts to an admission of her camp’s points.
- The commission’s pending decision under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order will determine which faction keeps the TMC name, symbol, organisation and funds and could reshape party control and electoral dynamics in West Bengal.