Overview
- The Election Commission asked both rival Trinamool factions for comments on July 2 and set a 5:30 pm deadline of July 6 for replies.
- Mamata Banerjee’s camp filed its submission by the July 6 deadline while the Ritabrata Banerjee faction first sought an extension to July 10 and then to July 25.
- In a fresh letter to EC secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal on Wednesday Mamata said she has not been shown any copy of a Ritabrata reply and asked the commission not to grant any further time.
- Mamata alleged the extra time is being used to create fresh or false evidence to bolster the rival camp’s case, a claim that has been reported by her side but not yet ruled on by the Election Commission.
- The EC’s recognition will decide which group controls the party name, symbol and organisational machinery in West Bengal and its pending decision will shape local party rights, candidate lists and administrative access.