Panthers may ride away with SP's bicycle

Riding high after tasting success in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party has now decided to foray into the Delhi municipal elections. There is, however, one small hitch. Neelam Pandey reports.

Riding high after tasting success in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party has now decided to foray into the Delhi municipal elections. There is, however, one small hitch.

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The party is at loggerheads with the Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) over the use of their party symbol for the elections.

Both state parties have the same symbol - bicycle - that they want to use for the municipal elections to be held on April 15.

Delhi State Election commissioner Rakesh Mehta said that he had received applications from both parties on the issue, and if a consensus was not reached, a draw of lots would decide who will get the symbol.

"This is one of the few cases that we have received so far. But just in case we get more cases, we have decided to form a policy - a draw of lots will be done in each case," said Mehta.

The last date for nomination is March 26 and any withdrawal can be done by March 31.

"Since we have done so well in the UP elections, Panthers Party wants to cause damage. They never contest municipal elections, but always try to create trouble for other parties. We are sure we will get the symbol," said Usha Yadav, president of Samajwadi Party, Delhi.

"We have already written to the State Election Commission. SP is a big party and they can afford to use any other symbol," said Bhim Singh, chairman of JKNPP.

The Delhi State Election Commission had released a list of 87 free symbols which can also be used by independent candidates. This included dish antenna, batsman, cauliflower and others.