The Election Commission of India has held a review meeting to decide whether TMC and NCP will have national party status or not. A written note was sought from the concerned parties after this meeting. According to ECI, there is no specific reason for this review meeting. It is a routine task done by ECI at regular intervals.
EC officials said the poll panel will then begin deliberations on whether the NCP and Trinamool meet the criteria to retain national party status. National party status confers various benefits to a party. Like a common party symbol across the state, free airtime during elections on public broadcasters, space for party office in New Delhi etc.
