EC in a fix — Samata, Lok Shakti yet to decide on poll symbol

The Commission has given the two parties time till tomorrow afternoon to clarify their relationship with the JD(U) and to finally decide on the symbol under which they will contest the forthcoming assembly polls in Bihar.

With the notification for the assembly polls issued on January 17, the parties have to indicate within three days, that is by January 20, to the returning officers of the respective states who their representatives are and which symbol they would be contesting under.

In the general elections, the Samata Party had contested the elections in unity with the JD(U) and had contested the polls under the JD(U) symbol, an arrow.

However, in a sworn affidavit given to the Commission on January 18, the Samata Party general secretary Jaya Jaitley has stated that George Fernandes continues to be the president of the Samata Party. Similarly, S P Gautam, the Lok Shakti has indicated that Hegde is the president of Lok Shakti.

The position taken by the Samata and Lok Shakti poses a number of legislative and electoral problems. Under the requirements of the anti-defection law, when the thirteenth Lok Sabha was constituted, the newly elected members belonging to the Samata Party and Lok Shakti had signed documents with the Lok Sabha secretariat that they belonged to the JD(U) and that they had contested on a JD(U) ticket.

The Samata Party’s contention is that it may have contested the Lok Sabha polls with the JD(U) symbol but that it is free to fight the assembly polls under any symbol, in this case the symbol of the Samata Party, makes a mockery of the Symbols order, the touchstone of electoral rules and guidelines.

The Commission has sent out notices to both Jaitely and Gautam asking them to clarify the conflicting and mutually contradictory claims being made by their parties by 1500 hours tomorrow.

However, JD(U) spokesman, M Raghupati said since the Lok Shakti has merged with the JD(U) there is no question of conflicting stands. The party may have contested the general elections under the JD(U) symbol, but the assembly elections were a different kettle of fish. "If the EC has objections, let them decide on the matter", he said.

The last date for nominations to the assembly elections in Bihar is January 24, while the scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for January 25.