Symbolic victory for SP, Panthers Party
The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and Samajwadi Party (SP) are still at loggerheads over the ‘cycle’ symbol. Both parties want the ‘cycle’ to be their symbol in the upcoming MCD elections.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and Samajwadi Party (SP) are still at loggerheads over the ‘cycle’ symbol. Both parties want the ‘cycle’ to be their symbol in the upcoming MCD elections.
On Friday, the State Election Commission (SEC) gave the final nod to both the Panthers Party and SP to use ‘cycle’ as their party symbol, but only in areas where they are not competing against each other.
“Since both the parties wanted the same symbol, we decided to give them both the symbol, but only in wards where they are not contesting against each other,” said Rakesh Mehta, State Election Commissioner. “In areas where they are pitted against each other, the Returning Officer (RO) will hold a draw to decide which party gets the symbol,” Mehta added.
The party that loses the ‘cycle’ in the draw of lots will have to choose from among the SEC’s long list of 'free symbols'.
Earlier the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Shiv Sena were fighting over the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol, but later they mutually sorted out the issue. “The conflict is over. Both parties will inform the respective ROs about their deci-sion, and then the ROs will award them the final party symbol,” Mehta said.
The SEC had released a list of 87 free symbols which independent candidates can choose from for fighting polls slated for the three municipal corporations — east, north and south — on April 15.
More Rejections
The SEC has rejected the nominations of 51 BSP candidates due to lack of proper documentation. Now, only 2,611 candidates remain in the fray after 27 people withdrew their nominations in the last two days. The commission also rejected nominations of 337 BJP and 280 Congress candidates.