Chiranjeevi: The "symbol" of woes

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: In what could prove to be an electoral disaster, actor Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party will have to contest the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh on different symbols as it is not yet a recognized political party. For a new political party that has set its eyes on capturing power, this is certainly a shocker.
While Congress, BJP, CPI, CPM, RJD, NCP and BSP are the recognized political parties at the national level, Telugu Desam Party and Telangana Rashtra Samiti are recognized as state parties in Andhra Pradesh with permanent election symbols. As per the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, only "recognized" political parties are eligible for a permanent election symbol while "registered" parties will have to choose from the 59 "free symbols" available. The PRP wanted the "Rising Sun" as its election symbol but it is unlikely to get it, at least for the 2009 elections. Ironically, the rising sun is not even a free symbol in the list prescribed by the Election Commission of India and the PRP will have to pick from symbols like aeroplane, almirah, axe, balloon, banana, bangles, cake, comb, cot, frock, electric pole, dao, diesel pump, camera, fork, harmonium, etc. Sources in the Election Commission here said that as per rule 6A of the said Order, a political party shall be eligible for recognition as a state party in a State, "if, and only if" it has secured not less than six per cent of the total valid votes polled in the state and, in addition, it has returned at least two members to the Legislative Assembly and at least one member to the House of People (Lok Sabha) in a general election. "Since Praja Rajyam is a new party, it has only been registered with the Election Commission of India. It gets recognized only if it fulfills the criteria laid down in the Election rules and only then becomes eligible for allotment of a permanent election symbol. In the ensuing elections it will have to make do with only the free symbols," a top EC official said. Being a registered political party, PRP could, however, be given "preference" in allotment of poll symbol in a particular constituency. "The PRP also has the option of making a representation seeking a common symbol for all its candidates across the state. But the allotment is not guaranteed," the EC official added. As per para 12 (3) (a) of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, if two or more candidates from registered political parties vie for a particular symbol, the allotment is done only through draw of lots. Besides, if any sitting MLA seeks a particular symbol in a constituency, he shall be allotted the symbol and no one else, the rules say. As such, there is no guarantee that the PRP will get the symbol of its choice across all constituencies. Having to face elections without a common symbol could prove a tough task for the fledgling party, political observers say.