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Mamata Urges Election Commission Not to Extend Time for Ritabrata Faction

Her July 12 letter accuses the commission of favouring the rebel camp, pressing it to decide the party recognition dispute without granting further time

Overview

  • The Ritabrata Banerjee-led group told the Election Commission on July 2 that it was the "real" Trinamool Congress after a June 22 special session and asked to be recognised as the party's authorised body.
  • The EC asked both camps to file replies by 5:30 pm on July 6; the Mamata-led camp filed on time and the Ritabrata faction was given an extension until 5:30 pm on July 10.
  • Mamata Banerjee wrote to the commission on July 12 saying the rebels had not shared a copy of any reply after the extension and accusing the EC of giving the rebel camp extra "elbow-room."
  • TMC leaders including MP Mahua Moitra have publicly criticised the EC's handling, saying the commission responded unusually quickly to the rebels and asking for a neutral, timely ruling.
  • Recognition by the EC will decide authorised signatories, use of the party name and symbol, and could trigger legal or administrative follow-ups if the commission issues a ruling favoring one camp.