Election panel allots Mamata Banerjee faction ‘Football Player’ symbol

The Election Commission on Friday assigned the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' and the ‘Football Player’ symbol to the faction led by Mamata Banerjee. The rival group, headed by Arup Roy, was allotted the name 'Democratic Tri'. This decision came amid ongoing disputes between the two factions.

The poll panel’s order formalises the identity of the Mamata Banerjee faction ahead of upcoming elections. The rival faction led by Arup Roy received the name 'Democratic Tri', along with a different symbol. The developments reflect the continuing tussle within the party.

Mamata Banerjee’s faction has expressed confidence that Bengal will set an example for a united INDIA bloc to challenge the BJP. The faction criticised the BJP’s actions in West Bengal, alleging that democracy is under threat and accusing the ruling party of attempting to create an 'Opposition-Mukt Bharat'.

The faction vowed to resist what it called misuse of power and intimidation tactics, asserting that these would not deter them. They declared their solidarity with the INDIA bloc and expressed a desire to see the Bharatiya Janata Party removed from India.

The political conflict has also seen a bypoll twist in Nandigram, where Mamata’s camp nominee Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination after meeting Suvendu Adhikari. Subsequently, the Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, who had received Mamata Banerjee’s support, was arrested. The Congress described this as a 'dirty game' and alleged political vendetta and atrocities.

These events highlight the intense political rivalry and the challenges faced by opposition parties in West Bengal as they seek to unite against the BJP.