Calcutta High Court questions EC's allocation of envelope symbol to rebel TMC group

The Calcutta High Court scrutinized the Election Commission’s recent allotment of the “envelope” election symbol to the rebel Trinamool Congress faction led by Arup Roy, which now contests under the name Democratic Trinamool Congress. The court highlighted that the symbol had previously been assigned to the Indian Secular Front, a West Bengal party also contesting the October 6 bye-elections, and questioned why a free symbol was re-used instead of being reserved.

Judges warned that the commission’s choices compel parties to seek judicial relief, adding to court burdens. The Indian Secular Front contended that re-using the symbol could mislead voters and requested that the symbol be frozen for all contenders. The Election Commission replied that the symbol was listed as free, though it had been used by the Indian Secular Front in earlier elections. The poll panel’s counsel asked for more time, and the hearing was adjourned.