Kolkata, Sep 21 — All India Secular Front (AISF), with Nawsad Siddique as the lone party representative in the West Bengal Assembly, on Monday approached the Calcutta High Court against the Election Commission of India (ECI)’s decision last week to allot the “Envelope” symbol to Ritabrata Banerjee‑led “rebel but majority” faction in Trinamool Congress.
Last week, the ECI allotted the Ritabrata‑led faction the new name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the new symbol “Envelop”. AISF, instead, was allotted the “Almirah” symbol.
The decision irked the AISF leadership, especially Siddique, who contested and was elected twice from the Bhangar Assembly Constituency in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, first in 2021 and then in 2026, with the “Envelop” symbol.
Siddique told media persons last week that he had already sent a letter to the Commission highlighting AISF’s objections and might also challenge the decision in court.
Accordingly, on Monday afternoon he approached the Calcutta High Court’s single‑judge bench of Justice Krishna Rao, challenging the ECI’s decision on the “Envelop” symbol.
“AISF has been contesting with the ‘Envelope’ symbol since 2021, the year the party was formed. Even I got elected twice in 2021 and 2026 with that symbol. In that case, how can the same symbol be allotted to the Democratic Trinamool Congress, which was formed just a couple of days back?” Siddique questioned.
AISF was not the only political party from West Bengal allotted a new symbol by the ECI last week.
Humayun Kabir‑founded Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) was given the symbol “table”, replacing its earlier “whistle”. Kabir had contested and won simultaneously from Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in Murshidabad district with the whistle symbol earlier this year.
However, Kabir did not raise any objection about the allotment of the new symbol for the party he founded.
While AJUP is contesting the Rejinagar bypoll, AISF is contesting from Nandigram in East Midnapore district next month. The bypolls for both constituencies will be held on October 6, and the results will be declared on October 9.