Election Commission summons both TMC factions amid internal party leadership dispute

The Election Commission of India has issued notices to rival factions within the Trinamool Congress following competing claims of party leadership and majority support. The development marks an escalation in the bitter internal dispute that has fractured the West Bengal-based political party into two opposing camps.

The rebel group approached the EC's bench, asserting they command majority backing within the organisation. Meanwhile, TMC loyalists challenged the poll body's authority to intervene, arguing that internal party matters fall outside the EC's jurisdiction. They contended that the commission cannot legally recognise or legitimise "expelled" members attempting to claim party control.

This power struggle represents a significant challenge to the TMC's unity, with each faction claiming legitimate representation of party interests. The internal conflict has exposed deep divisions that threaten the party's political standing in West Bengal, a key eastern state with considerable electoral influence.

The EC's intervention signals serious concerns about party governance and accountability, particularly regarding recognition of elected representatives and party symbols. Both factions are now required to respond to the commission's notice, setting the stage for formal proceedings that could determine which group holds legitimate claim to TMC's institutional machinery.

The outcome carries implications beyond the party itself, as it may establish precedent for how the election body handles internal disputes within registered political organisations. Political analysts suggest that the commission's decision could reshape West Bengal's political landscape and influence the party's electoral viability in upcoming state and national elections.

Source: Hindustan Times