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Rahul Gandhi calls Mamata after TMC symbol freeze (Img: Dynamite News)
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi spoke with former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee after the Election Commission of India froze the use of the Trinamool Congress’ original name and election symbol for the upcoming bypolls.
During the late-night call, Gandhi told Banerjee he was ready to extend any assistance required, sources said. The two leaders also discussed the possibility of working together in the future.
“Let Bengal show the way for a united INDIA bloc to oust BJP," Banerjee told Gandhi, according to sources.
“We are in this together. We want the BJP to be removed," she said.
The conversation came hours after Banerjee announced support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram bypoll, following the withdrawal of Sanchita Pradhan Dey, who had been fielded by the Mamata-led faction.
Pradhan Dey, a teacher, met Banerjee at the state secretariat, Nabanna, on Friday afternoon along with her husband Satyajit before withdrawing from the contest.
The move followed the ECI’s interim decision to prevent both rival factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and its traditional Flowers and Grass symbol.
On Friday, the poll panel allotted new names and symbols to the two factions. The Mamata-led group was given “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” with the “Football Player” symbol, while the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction received “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the “Envelope” symbol.
The new identities will apply to the factions for the upcoming bypolls while the broader dispute over the original party name and symbol remains pending.
