Andhra Politics - Congress ;TDP;PRP;TRS

In a country with close to 40% illiterates, voting symbol is very important for the political parties to reach the public. Unfortunately the newly established party, Praja Rajyam is facing a problem in this respect. This party is not yet assigned an election symbol by the Election Commission of India and with the elections impending in a few months, the party is trying hard to get a symbol. In case the party does not get a symbol, the contestants must use a random symbol allocated bu the EC and the party will just be having 14days to publicize this symbol.

SO, the party officials have met the Election Comminssion yesterday to discuss the matter. PRP is just a registered party and not a recognized party by the Election Commission and thus the EC need not give this party a symbol. A party gets recognized only after it exhibits its public support by participating in at least one election. However, there is not rule that forbids the EC from allocating a symbol to non-recognized parties. PRP wants the EC to use this power and allott a symbol. In 2004, the EC has assigned the ‘car’ symbol to TRS which was then a non-recognized party. On similar lines, PRP wants EC to allott a symbol and is hoping a favorable response from the EC. In case the EC denies to allott asymbol, PRP is planning to approach the Supreme Court.