Mulayam-Akhilesh feud: Who will ride on ‘cycle’ symbol?

As the Samajwadi Party ‘Pari-War’ intensifies, the tussle over the party symbol ‘cycle’ is getting deeper into the reins of the party. 

Both factions, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav approached Election Commission on Tuesday to claim for SP’s symbol during the election, however, who will win this battle is still unknown, but in all likelihood, the Election Commission may freeze the symbol for both factions and may issue a different symbol to both the groups. 

News Nation brings how Election Commission decides on how to grant an election symbol to any political party in the country.

How will EC solve the symbol-tussle

In case if a political party splits, then the Election Commission at first takes a call by a test of majority. Counting a clear majority of party delegates/office bearers, MPs and MLAs has been deemed as one of the most sought after methods for the election commission to give its decision in deciding on the symbol of political parties.
 
However, a very peculiar case appeared in 1987, when a split happened in AIADMK after the death of former TN Chief Minister M G Ramachandran. The EC had to decide between MGR’s wife Janaki and Jayalalithaa. While Janaki had the support of the majority of MPs and MLAs, J Jayalalithaa was supported by a substantial majority in the party organisation. 

Sometimes the EC can also take a different stance like it did in 1997 when EC denied to recognise the political status of new parties as national or state parties based on just the majority of MPs and MLAs. 

In 1997, the disintegration in different political party gave way to many parties like Himachal Vikas Congress, Manipur State Congress, West Bengal Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Biju Janata Dal, etc.  The EC introduced a new rule under which the group that got the party symbol had to register itself as a separate party and lay claim to national or state party status only on the basis of its performance in state or central elections after registration.

What lies in store for Samajwadi Party's symbol 'cycle'?

The panel may also freeze the party symbol and may provide ad-hoc recognition to both the groups. The factions will be asked to contest on different symbols. 

Why EC may freeze the symbol 'cycle'? 

There is more likelihood of freezing SPs symbol as the EC organises awareness campaigns after the announcement of polls for which the party symbols are required.

As per initial reports, the commission has to hear both sides and examine the evidence they furnish in order to decide who should get the symbol. But in this case particularly when Uttar Pradesh election dates can be announced at any moment and the hearing process takes long time than EC may allocated separate symbols to both the group.