Hyderabad: A few political parties, including actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party lost their common symbols for failing to contest in at least 10 per cent of total seats in any ordinary election. Besides, the parties also lost their deposit amount.
The State Election Commission, in its orders issued here on Thursday, declared that Indian Praja Congress had lost its common symbol Whistle, Marxist Communist Party of India lost its Gas Cylinder symbol, Jana Sena Party its Glass Tumbler, Hindustan Janata Party its Coconut Farm and Praja Bandhu Party its Trumpet symbol.
The TSEC said the above parties had failed to contest in 10 per cent of total seats in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections, which were held in December 2020.
The Janasena president Pawan Kalyan had written to SEC on April 12 that due to alliance with BJP, it had decided to withdraw to avoid splitting of votes. The Janasena Party president further informed that his party would be contesting in the Khammam, Warangal and other municipalities elections and appealed to SEC to retain the Gas Tumbler symbol for the party in the ensuing elections.
However, the SEC considered Janasena party’s representation and said it was not satisfied with the party’s appeal as it was in violation of the provisions of symbols order, 2018.
Moreover, the parties are now ineligible to apply afresh for a common symbol for the remaining period of five years ending November 18, 2025 for failure to set up 10 per cent candidates in GHMC elections.