Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Apr 13: The Election Commission has accepted to hear a plea filed by a BJP leader seeking cancellation of the Congress party's iconic ‘hand’ symbol.
In January, Ashwini Upadhyay had filed a complaint stating that the Congress ‘hand’ symbol would violate the model code of conduct. As per the code, the campaigning should stop 48 hours prior to the commencement of polling and also restricts the canvassing within 100 meters from the polling station.
"Election Commission allotted election symbol 'Pair of Bullock carrying Yoke' to Indian National Congress and it successfully contested the first four general elections with this symbol. After internal split, Congress contested fifth general election with election symbol 'Cow and Calf' and after another internal split, the Election Commission allotted election symbol ‘Palm of Hand’ to Indian National Congress," the complaint reads.
However, the hand is an inseverable part of the body and the supporters can always carry it and use it even after the campaigning has stopped. Upadhyay alleged that Congress workers misuse the election symbol ‘Palm of Hand’ even inside the polling booths by gesturing and showing the preference for the voting.
Hence, Upadhyay said that the symbol will amount to “violation of Model Code of Conduct and Section 130 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 in every election.”
With Karnataka Assembly elections a month away, the Election Commission has accepted to hear the plea on April 18.
Upadhyay has also tweeted the same. "On 18.4.2018, ECI will hear Petition seeking cancellation of Election Symbol Palm of Hand, which had been illegally allotted to INC. As per Law & Model Code of Conduct, Part of Body can't be an Election Symbol & also a Person can't enter in Polling Booth with any Election Symbol (sic)."
With the hand being the branding image of Congress, its cancellation could become a huge drawback for the party in the upcoming elections.