Cycle, the symbol of Samajwadi Party, faces the threat of being frozen before the 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.
After the split in the party last week, the factions led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh had approached the Commission staking claim over the party and the symbol.
Both the sides had also submitted some documents to further their claim and the Commission has given them time till Monday to provide signed affidavits of legislators and office bearers to claim control over the party’s name and symbol.
The side which has the support of majority (50 per cent plus 1) MPs, MLAs, MLCs and delegates will gain an upper hand in the fight to control the party founded 25 years ago.
The Commission, sources said, will have to decide on who commands the majority in SP before January 17 when the notification for the first phase of assembly polls is issued.
The election for phase one is on February 2.
With the notification, the process of filing nominations will begin. Candidates from Mulayam and Akhilesh camps cannot fight election on cycle symbol at the same time, therefore, the EC will have to take a call on the issue before that date.
“These will be days of fast-paced developments. January 17 is still far…yes, if both sides claim support of equal number of legislators and office bearers and EC is unable to take a final decision, an interim order can be passed …freezing the symbol is one such option available,” a source said.
Another source said if the two sides are willing to settle issue fast, EC can arrive at a conclusion before January 17.
According to the sources, if elections are imminent, then the poll body does not have the time to verify the legislative majority of both factions. In such a situation, it can pass an interim order asking both sides to pick a new party name and symbol.
Amar Singh’s security upgraded again
Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh has been accorded ‘Z’ category security cover of central paramilitary commandos by the Union government due to threat perception following “recent activities”, a development that comes in the backdrop of infighting in the Samajwadi Party ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.
Officials said the Union Home Ministry issued an order in this regard on Saturday night and asked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to take up the task with immediate effect.
