The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to decide the dispute over the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name and its ‘Flowers & Grass’ election symbol within a defined timeline.

The order came while the court was hearing a plea filed by Mamata Banerjee challenging the Election Commission’s interim decision to freeze the use of the party’s original name and reserved symbol amid competing claims between rival factions.

The court has given the parties four weeks to complete their pleadings, including responses, affidavits and counter-affidavits. The ECI will then have three months to adjudicate the dispute. This effectively establishes a four-month timeline for completion of the process.

What did the Supreme Court direct?

The Supreme Court directed the contesting sides to place their responses and other documents on record within four weeks.

After the pleadings are completed, the Election Commission has been asked to take three months to decide the dispute concerning the party’s name and election symbol. The matter is being considered under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

The Supreme Court’s directions therefore provide a structured timeline for the ECI’s adjudication of the competing claims.

Why is the TMC name and symbol dispute before the Supreme Court?

The case follows an interim decision by the Election Commission in September to prevent the rival factions from using the All India Trinamool Congress name and the reserved ‘Flowers & Grass’ symbol while the competing claims are examined.

The Commission had said the dispute required a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

Mamata Banerjee subsequently approached the Supreme Court challenging the ECI’s interim arrangement. The Supreme Court is examining the challenge while the substantive dispute remains before the poll panel.

What names and symbols are being used temporarily?

Following the Election Commission’s interim decision, the two rival factions were allotted separate identities for the upcoming by-elections.

The faction led by Mamata Banerjee was allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol. The rival faction was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol.

These are interim arrangements and do not amount to a final determination of which faction is entitled to the original AITC name and ‘Flowers & Grass’ symbol.

What happens next in the TMC symbol dispute?

The immediate next step is for the rival sides to complete their pleadings within four weeks.

Once that stage is completed, the ECI has three months to decide the dispute. The Supreme Court has thus effectively provided a four-month framework for the proceedings to reach a decision.

The three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled to begin on Monday has been deferred following a meeting between the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on Sunday night.

The development came after the two sides held talks ahead of the planned strike, which was expected to affect banking operations across the country.

The UFBU, an umbrella forum representing bank unions, had called for the three-day nationwide strike. The action was scheduled to begin on September 28.

Bank strike deferred after Sunday meeting

The decision to defer the strike followed an eleventh-hour meeting between representatives of the UFBU and the IBA on Sunday night.

The proposed strike had raised concerns about disruption to banking services for millions of customers. With the strike now deferred, the immediate three-day disruption that was scheduled to begin Monday will not take place as planned.

The development comes after earlier efforts by the government and bank managements to persuade the unions to defer the strike. The unions had been seeking, among other demands, the introduction of a five-day banking system.

What were the bank unions demanding?

The UFBU’s demands included the introduction of five-day banking. Other issues raised by the unions included improvements in pension-related matters, a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System to move to the old pension scheme.

The proposed strike had been scheduled for September 28, 29 and 30. The timing had also raised concerns because September 26 and 27 were a Saturday and Sunday, respectively, while September 30 coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticised Pakistan during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying that a “serial practitioner of terrorism” had misrepresented facts and that arguments were being made to normalise terrorism. 

Jaishankar’s remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the UN General Assembly and spoke about the 2025 military confrontation between India and Pakistan.

Jaishankar’s message to Pakistan

Referring to Pakistan without naming it directly in that remark, Jaishankar said a “serial practitioner of terrorism” had misrepresented facts before the UN General Assembly.

He said arguments were being made to normalise terrorism and claim immunity from its consequences, adding that such an approach would not stand. 

Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that the country would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism.

He also said that friendship and goodwill could not coexist with terrorism and that understandings based on such circumstances would naturally be called into question. 

“It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways,” Jaishankar said.

India stresses zero tolerance on terrorism

Jaishankar described terrorism as a persistent threat to peace and called for governments involved in cross-border terrorism to be held accountable.

He also stressed that there should be no dilution in India’s zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism and particularly called for greater attention to its financial aspects.

His remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif referred to the 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation during his UN General Assembly address. 

Jaishankar backs two-state solution for Palestine

During his UN address, Jaishankar also spoke about the situation in West Asia and said India was prepared to contribute to efforts addressing food and energy security amid continuing tensions and violence.

On the Palestine issue, he reiterated India’s longstanding support for a two-state solution.

Jaishankar said India was also contributing humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people.

He also warned about continuing threats and pressures around the world and stressed the need for greater stability, security and predictability.