Sharad Yadav faction of JD(U) moves high court against EC verdict on party symbol

The election commission recently rejected Sharad Yadav’s petition staking claim to party symbol ‘arrow’ and recognised the Nitish Kumar-led group as the real JD(U).

An MLA from the Sharad Yadav faction of Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Election Commission (EC) order rejecting its petition staking claim to party symbol ‘Arrow’ and recognising Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar-led faction as the real JD (U).

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav addresses a press conference in New Delhi. (PTI file)

Gujarat legislator Chottubhai Vasava, who is the acting president of Yadav’s faction, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by the acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal for urgent hearing on the issue in view of Gujarat Assembly polls.

Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for Vasava, told the bench also comprising Justice C Hari Shankar, that Election Commission’s November 17 order should be quashed as it has “gravely erred” in granting JD(U)’s official symbol, Arrow, to the Nitish Kumar faction.

After a brief hearing, the bench listed the matter for urgent hearing on Wednesday.

Advocate Gopal Singh, appearing for Nitish Kumar’s faction, opposed the plea saying the Election Commission of India has heard the matter on different occasions and has rightly passed its directions.

The EC, in its order, had said the group led by Kumar “has demonstrated overwhelming majority support” in the legislature wing as well as the majority in the national council of the party, which is the apex organisational body of the JD(U).