Sanjay Raut Backs Mamata Banerjee, Opposes Freezing of TMC Election Symbol

MUMBAI, Sept 18 : Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the ongoing dispute over the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its election symbol, asserting that the party's original identity should remain with its founder.

Raut said the TMC was founded and built by Banerjee through years of struggle and hard work and argued that she should retain the party's original election symbol.

Drawing parallels with the Shiv Sena founded by Bal Thackeray and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar, Raut said the TMC was similarly identified with Banerjee.

Raut alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP were involved in attempts to split political parties, influence elected representatives and exert pressure on the Election Commission. He also referred to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, saying its provisions were being overlooked in disputes involving political parties.

Referring to the earlier disputes over the Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar's NCP, Raut said the existence and identity of the original party should be protected.

"There is no need to freeze the TMC's election symbol. Mamata Banerjee should retain the symbol," Raut said.

"Even if a leader is good, the owner of the party and the rightful claimant to its election symbol is Mamata Banerjee, and it should remain with her," he added.

Raut also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over rising inflation, alleging that prices of essential goods and services were continuing to increase.

Referring to celebrations held across the country on Modi's birthday, Raut questioned the lighting of lamps while people were facing rising prices.

"Yesterday, on Prime Minister Modi's birthday, lamps were lit across the country. Why? Inflation is rising, the era of UPI is coming, and inflation continues to increase, yet people are lighting lamps on Modi ji's birthday," he said.