SP dispute over election symbol: Time running out for Mulayam - Akhilesh as EC advances hearing to Jan 13

With only few days left for Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections now Akhilesh Singh Yadav and Mulayam Yadav are holding multiple meetings, discussions to defuse the Samajwadi tussle.

But if they fail to reach on reconcilation soon then Election Commission will take its final call as its advances the hearing date on January 13.  

On Tuesday,  Election Commission sent notices to both factions for the January 13 hearing.

On Monday, Mulayam Singh hinted that SP will go united for the polls and he will be the national president of the Samajwadi Party while Akhilesh will be the Chief Minister, but still there is no official confirmation. 

The Commission wants to settle the matter before January 17 when the process of nomination begins for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh to be held on February 11, provided the two sides proceed accordingly.

Going to Election Commission is one condition that both the factions may avoid as of now, as with only few days left for the UP Assembly polls, the EC might issue different symbols to both the groups and may freeze the 'cycle' symbol.  However, the Commission wants to settle the matter before January 17 when the process of nomination begins for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh to be held on February 11, provided the two sides proceed accordingly. Notices are being sent to both factions for the January 13 hearing.

While the Akhilesh camp has submitted affidavits signed by SP MPs, MLAs, MLCs and delegates supporting Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the other side has maintained that as per the party's constitution, Mulayam Singh Yadav is still the party chief.The Mulayam-led faction has also claimed the affidavits submitted by the Akhilesh camp have been forged and that the poll panel should get them verified before proceeding.

The Akhilesh camp had on Monday urged the Commission to decide on the matter at the earliest as the nomination process will begin Tuesday next.

The 'cycle' symbol faces the threat of being frozen before the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls if the Election Commission is not able to decide which of the two factions of the party commands majority in the organisation.