KCR’s TRS, Ajit Singh’s RLD And Anbumani’s PMK May Lose State Party Status

The Election Commission has issued notices to six political parties asking why their status should not be revoked, according to sources. All the six parties under the EC scanner are state based. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) and Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) are failing to fulfil the conditions necessary to be labelled as state parties. However, as per EC, these parties will be given a chance to submit their explanation, news agency ANI reported.

This came after parties failed to fulfil the five criteria mentioned in the 'Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968' by which the EC lists political parties as a 'state party'.

“All the six parties have requested the ECI for their pleas to be heard. They urged the poll body to give them an opportunity to prove their majority,” news agency ANI reported.

ALSO READ: JDU can't use 'arrow' poll symbol to contest elections in Jharkhand, Maharashtra: Election Commission

According to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a political party can be recognised as a national party if its candidates secure at least six per cent of votes polled in four or more states in Lok Sabha or assembly elections, and, in addition, it has at least four members in the Lok Sabha.

Earlier, the CPI, TMC and the NCP have been called for a personal hearing by the Election Commission next month which had earlier issued them notices asking why their 'national party' status should not be revoked following their performance in the Lok Sabha elections, sources said.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) face the prospect of losing their national party status following the EC notice.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Election Commission has issued notices to six political parties asking why their status should not be revoked.
• This came after parties failed to fulfil the five criteria mentioned in the 'Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968' by which the EC lists political parties as a 'state party'.
• These parties will be given a chance to submit their explanation.