Morphed symbol? EC seeks reply from AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi’s Madhusudhanan

The EC said it has received a complaint which alleged that the O Panneerselvam faction had “in its wall posters and social media” referred to the symbol as “Two Lamps”, with “the intention to create an impression in the minds of the voters” that the symbol resembled the Two Leaves.

The Election Commission on Friday demanded clarification from E Madhusudhanan, the AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi candidate for the RK Nagar bypolls, after a complaint said the party’s new symbol of the Electric Pole was morphed to resemble the iconic “Irattai Ilai” (Two Leaves) symbol of the united AIADMK.

AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma leader O Panneerselvam presents the party sympbol (electric pole) to RK Nagar bypoll candidate E Madhusudhanan in Chennai. (PTI)

The complaint was filed by AIADMK Amma leader TTV Dinakaran, who is also contesting the bye-elections in the constituency of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

In its notice, the EC said it has received a complaint which alleged that the O Panneerselvam faction had “in its wall posters and social media” referred to the symbol as “Two Lamps”, with “the intention to create an impression in the minds of the voters” that the symbol resembled the Two Leaves.

Citing the Representation of the People Act of 1951, the EC ordered Madhusudhanan to respond to the complaint by April 3.

The RK Nagar bye-election, scheduled to be held on April 12, is widely being seen as a litmus test for the splintered AIADMK.