- Trinamool Congress(TMC) and Communist Party of India(CPI) have urged the Election Commission to allow them to retain the national party status till the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
- This came in the backdrop of EC serving show cause notices to TMC, CPI and Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) seeking explanation on why their national party status should not be withdrawn.
- A party is recognised as a national party if any of the following conditions is fulfilled (a)If it secures 6% of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly and in addition if it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states or (b)If it wins 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election and these candidates are elected from three states or (c)If it is recognised as a state party in four states.
- National party status allows a political party to retain a single and permanent election symbol across all states.It also qualifies them to be given free campaign slots on national broadcasters during elections besides the right to a party office in New Delhi.
