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Akhilesh Yadav-Led Faction Gets To Use Cycle Symbol, Recognised As Samajwadi Party

The verdict comes a day ahead of the start of filing nominations in the UP elections.



UP CM Akhilesh Yadav at a road show in Lucknow, India. (Source: Samajwadi Party Website)
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav at a road show in Lucknow, India. (Source: Samajwadi Party Website)

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday delivered a major setback to Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, as it allowed the faction led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and his son, Akhilesh Yadav to use the disputed ‘cycle’ symbol for contesting the upcoming legislative assembly elections.

The EC passed an order recognising the faction led by Akhilesh as the Samajwadi Party, adding that it is entitled to the reserved party symbol by a test of majority.

...the Commission hereby answers the Issue No.2 by holding that the group led by Shri Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol “Bicycle” for the purposes of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968
Election Commission order dated January 17, 2017

The three-member panel headed by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi took into consideration the case of Sadiq Ali versus the Election Commission which was heard in the Supreme Court in 1971.

In 1969, the Indian National Congress was split into two groups – the Congress 'O' and Congress 'J' – over differences on the choice of nominee for the President of India. This led to a dispute on which party should be recognised as the Indian National Congress.

The case was settled using a test of majority by the Supreme Court. From then on, the panel said, all matters relating to splits in recognised political parties have been settled using the same test.

The facts and circumstances of the aforementioned case, according to the panel, are "to a large extent similar" to the current scenario in the Samajwadi Party.

Taking into account the plea submitted by Ram Gopal Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav's brother, the panel noted that the numbers favoured Akhilesh.

Out of a total 5,731 delegates from various legislative and organisational wings of the party, 4,716 supported Akhilesh Yadav, and hence the panel's decision in favour of the faction led by him. Ram Gopal's plea had signatures of 31 national executive members, 5,242 party delegates, 195 MLAs and 48 MLCs of Uttar Pradesh, 4 Lok Sabha MPs and 11 Rajya Sabha MPs.

Ram Gopal Yadav was quick to praise the commission’s verdict.

I would like to laud the Elections Commission for giving a just order and the Commission will also be blessed by the people of Uttar Pradesh.
Ram Gopal Yadav, Samajwadi Party, Told Reporters In New Delhi

He also commented on the possibility of a grand alliance with the Congress for the elections adding that the decision will be taken by Akhilesh.

I am hopeful that Mahaghatbandghan (grand alliance) will take place, but the final decision rests with Akhilesh.
Ram Gopal Yadav, Samajwadi Party, Told Reporters In New Delhi

Ram Gopal has been at the centre of a clash between Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. Mulayam had previously accused Ram Gopal of misleading Akhilesh against his own father.

The rift between Akhilesh and Mulayam Singh intensified in the recent days, after the former announced himself as the national president of the Samajwadi Party at a convention on January 1, 2017.

Mulayam, who was named the patron of the party at the same convention, approached the Election Commission, claiming that he continues to be the party chief and his faction should be allowed to retain the party symbol.

The process for the legislative assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh begins on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 with a notification for the filing of nominations for first phase of voting on February 11. The seven-phase state elections will continue till March 8. The incumbent Samajwadi Party government had come to power in 2012 by securing a comfortable majority of 224 seats. The Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha consists of 403 assembly seats.