TMC exploring legal options after losing national party status

The Trinamool Congress is exploring legal options to challenge the Election Commission (EC's) decision to withdraw its national status.

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday withdrew the national status of the TMC, NCP and CPI.

"Trinamool Congress has overcome many obstacles, we will overcome this too. We will continue to do what we have to do, it will not make any difference," ANI quoted TMC MP Saugata Roy as saying. Sources have told the news agency that the party is now exploring legal options to challenge the EC's decision.

On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party has been recognised as a national following its electoral performance in four states - Delhi, Goa, Punjab and Gujarat.

The party's national convener Kejriwal expressed his happiness over the development and said that the country has given them a huge responsibility.

"National party in such a short time? This is nothing less than a miracle. Many congratulations to all. Crores of people of the country have taken us here. People expect a lot from us. Today people have given us this huge responsibility. Lord, bless us to fulfil this responsibility well," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

"It's a big thing for us. This wouldn't have been possible without people's support. People are with us. We want God to give strength to Arvind Kejriwal to keep on moving forward," said Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on ECI granting national party status to AAP.

The EC has also revoked the state party status granted to RLD in Uttar Pradesh, BRS in Andhra Pradesh, PDA in Manipur, PMK in Puducherry, RSP in West Bengal and MPC in Mizoram.

It also granted "recognised state political party" status to the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in Nagaland, Voice of the People Party in Meghalaya and the Tipra Motha in Tripura.

However, the NCP and CPI are yet to respond to the EC's decision to withdraw the national status.