The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Election Commission of India on the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh’s fresh plea seeking a common party symbol for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The court will hear the matter next on October 9.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond to a petition filed by the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh seeking the allotment of a common party symbol for the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar.
The petition challenges the ECI’s decision to deny the party a symbol for contesting in the elections.
The Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh has raised objections to a communication issued by the ECI on September 1, which rejected its application for a party symbol. According to the party, this refusal directly affects its right to contest in the elections and is a denial of its constitutional and statutory rights.
During the hearing, the ECI’s counsel, advocate Rohini Prasad, stated that the application was rejected because of alleged internal disputes within the party.
Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice to the ECI and indicated that the Court may decide the matter after hearing it next on Thursday, October 9.
The Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh, which was registered in 1989, is an unrecognised political party claiming to have roots in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
The party has argued that it has the
“constitutional and statutory right to contest elections” and that the ECI’s refusal to allot it an election symbol would “take away its opportunity to contest the upcoming Bihar elections.”
The party further contended that the reasons given by the ECI for rejecting its application are “evasive, erroneous and devoid of reasoning.” It also denied that there are any internal disputes within the party, countering the ECI’s allegations.
This marks the second time the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh has approached the Delhi High Court regarding the issue. In its previous petition, the High Court had directed the ECI to consider the party’s representation dated August 25 “expeditiously.”
However, the ECI subsequently rejected the party’s application on September 1, prompting the Jan Sangh to approach the High Court again for relief.
Advocates Pranay Ranjan and Mrigank Prabhakar appeared on behalf of the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh, while advocate Rohini Prasad represented the ECI.
The Delhi High Court’s upcoming hearing on October 9 is expected to provide clarity on whether the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh will be allowed to contest the Bihar assembly elections with a common party symbol, which could have a significant impact on its electoral strategy.
Case Title:
Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh v. Election Commission of India
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