New Delhi, Jan 13: The battle for cycle symbol resumed on friday when the EC began hearing the claims by SP factions led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav over control of the party and its election symbol.
The EC wants to decide on the matter before January 17 when the process of nomination begins for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh to be held on February 11. While the Akhilesh camp has submitted affidavits signed by party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and delegates supporting him, the other side has maintained that as per the party’s constitution, Mulayam is still the party chief. The Mulayam-led faction has also claimed that the affidavits submitted by the Akhilesh camp were forged and that the EC should get them verified before proceeding.
With both sides committed to not let go of the cycle the symbol faces the threat of being frozen before the seven-phase 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 organization.
The side that has the support of majority 50% + 1 of MPs, MLAs, MLCs and delegates will gain an upper hand in the fight to control the party.
Candidates from the 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 the filing of nominations begins.
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