Calcutta HC Rejects ISF Plea Seeking Restoration of ‘Envelope’ Symbol Ahead of Bypolls

Justice Krishna Rao had reserved his order after hearing arguments in the matter on September 28. The court ultimately declined to intervene in the election process ahead of the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, with counting scheduled for October 9.

The ISF, which has fielded a candidate in Nandigram, had challenged the Election Commission's allocation of the “envelope” symbol to the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, which is contesting under the name Democratic Trinamool Congress.

ISF legislator Nawsad Siddique argued that the party had contested elections using the “envelope” symbol, including his victories from Bhangar, and questioned the decision to reassign it shortly before the bypolls. The party was subsequently allotted the “almirah” symbol for the upcoming contests.

The Election Commission, however, maintained that the “envelope” was a free symbol and that an unrecognised political party such as the ISF did not have a permanent legal entitlement to it. The poll panel defended its discretion to allocate free symbols in accordance with the applicable rules.

The symbol dispute arose after the Election Commission froze the name and traditional symbol of the Trinamool Congress amid competing claims between factions of the party. The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction was subsequently allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the “envelope” symbol for the bypolls, while the faction led by Mamata Banerjee was allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and a “football player” symbol.

During earlier hearings, Justice Rao had questioned why the Election Commission chose to allot the “envelope” symbol when other free symbols were available. The court had also raised concerns about the timing of the reassignment, particularly because the ISF was itself contesting the Nandigram bypoll.

With the petition now dismissed, the ISF will contest the Nandigram bypoll using the “almirah” symbol. The October 6 elections will be held in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, with counting scheduled for October 9.