Kolkata, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday allotted new free symbols to the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), founded by Humayun Kabir, and the All India Secular Front (AISF) ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls.
AJUP has been allotted the “table” symbol, replacing its earlier “whistle” symbol. Kabir had contested and won simultaneously from the Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in Murshidabad district with the whistle symbol earlier this year.
He later retained Naoda, resulting in the need for a bypoll in Rejinagar. The bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting and results due on October 9. AJUP candidate Golam Nabi Azad will contest the Rejinagar bypoll with the new table symbol.
The ECI has allotted the “almirah” symbol to AISF, replacing its earlier “envelope” symbol.
The change came after the Commission recently allotted the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress” and the envelope symbol to the faction led by expelled Trinamool Congress legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. Following that allocation, AISF was given the almirah symbol.
AISF has fielded Mohammad Sabe Miraj Ali Khan as its candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in East Midnapore district, also scheduled for October 6, with results on October 9.
Earlier on Saturday, Nawsad Siddique, AISF’s sole representative in the West Bengal Assembly, criticised the ECI’s decision and termed it unfair. Siddique had contested and won from the Bhangar Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas using the envelope symbol in both the 2021 and 2026 Assembly elections.
AISF has already written to the ECI over the issue. Siddique said he may approach the court if necessary.
“AISF was founded much before the Ritabrata-led faction surfaced. Hence, under no justification can they be entitled to the ‘envelope’ symbol, denying AISF’s right over it,” Siddique said.
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