Praja Rajyam and the symbol trouble

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Confirming the Praja Rajyam Party's worst fears, the Election Commission of India has made it clear that a "common symbol" would not be allotted to the party candidates for the ensuing Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh. This could prove to be a major electoral disaster for actor Chiranjeevi's fledgling PRP as it will now have to contest the elections on different symbols as it is not yet a "recognized" political party.
The PRP challenged the ECI decision in the Andhra Pradesh High Court but the grounds on which it filed the writ petition appear too flimsy. It wanted rail engine as the party symbol for all its candidates. But, given the rule position, one doubts whether PRP will win the case.
Chiranjeevi met Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami in Nirvachan Sadan recently and pleaded for allocation of a common symbol for PRP candidates as the party has been "registered" already. He cited past instances wherein certain parties were allotted a common symbol despite they being not recognized by the ECI. The ECI, in a letter to the PRP, clarified that under 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 "free symbols" available. 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.
In case the court cases goes against it, 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 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.
But, in its writ petition the PRP claimed it has a vote share of 16 per cent going by its membership. The party's contention doesn't hold any water as it has not yet fought any election and its real strength will be determined only based on an election outcome.
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, at the time of elections, 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.