SP symbol may be frozen if Election Commission can’t take decision

After the split in the party last week, the factions led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh had approached the Commission staking claim over the party and the symbol. Both the sides had also submitted some documents to further their claim and the Commission has given them time till Monday to provide signed affidavits of legislators and office bearers to claim control over the party’s name and symbol. 

The side which has the support of majority (50 per cent plus 1) MPs, MLAs, MLCs and delegates will gain an upper hand in the fight to control the party founded 25 years ago. The Commission, sources said, will have to decide on who commands the majority in SP before January 17 when the notification for  the first phase of assembly polls is issued. The election for phase one is on February 2. 

With the notification, the process of filing nominations will begin. Candidates from 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 that date. 

Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday said he remains the party President and Akhilesh Yadav was only the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. “I am the National President of SP and Akhilesh is the Chief Minister of UP,” Mulayam said. 

He added that the decision taken by Akhilesh supporters to replace him by the Chief Minister as the party chief was null and void.