New Delhi : The Election Commission’s decision has bridged the gap between the parties of the INDIA alliance. The Congress, which had refused to extend support just three days ago, has now come out in support of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has openly voiced his support for her. Notably, on Thursday, the Election Commission froze the TMC’s election symbol. This dealt a severe blow to Mamata Banerjee ahead of the upcoming by-elections in Bengal. Now, both Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal have lashed out at the BJP as well as the Election Commission.

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, described the Commission’s decision as a sign of the decline of India’s democracy in a social media post. Writing on X, Rahul Gandhi stated that the BJP and the Election Commission are working together to dismantle opposition parties. He further emphasized that this is not Mamata Banerjee’s battle alone.

Rahul Gandhi wrote, “First Shiv Sena, then NCP, and now Trinamool Congress. The pattern is the same every time the BJP and the Election Commission join hands to break a party. Then, its election symbol is snatched away. If an entire party can be stolen, then the theft of the votes of crores of Indians comes as no surprise. Stolen votes. Stolen government. Now, a stolen party these have become symbols of our democratic decline. The ECI’s constitutional responsibility is to protect the mandate, yet it is instead aiding forces that overturn the people’s verdict.”

Rahul Gandhi further added, “This fight is not just Mamata Banerjee’s. It is the fight of every political party and every voter who desires free and fair elections.” It is worth noting that there were earlier reports of strained relations between the Congress and the TMC. According to reports, Mamata Banerjee had sought Congress’s assistance for the Nandigram by-election, but the party had declined her proposal. However, the Congress has now openly extended its support to Mamata Banerjee.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal also questioned the Commission’s decision. He even linked it to PM Modi’s birthday on September 17. Taking a dig on X, Kejriwal wrote, “Modi ji’s birthday gift to the nation. Is this how they will win elections?”

Earlier, following the announcement of by-elections in Bengal, both Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and the faction led by rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee had staked their respective claims to the party’s name and its “flower and grass” symbol. However, the Election Commission issued an interim order on Thursday night stating that, pending a final resolution of the dispute, neither faction would be permitted to use the name “All India Trinamool Congress” or its “flower and grass” symbol. The Commission had asked both factions to submit three new names and symbols of their choice by 11 AM on Friday.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)

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