Symbol of political clout

When Congress swept the elections with ‘Two Bulls’ symbol in 1952, the DMK introduced the ‘Rising Sun’ as its symbol in the 1962 Assembly. The party used every known media at that time to propagate the symbol, like cinema, drama, literature and wall posters. When MGR formed his own party, he popularised his ‘Two Leaves’ symbol in a similar manner --- film songs and party propaganda songs were composed to popularise the new symbol.

“Vasalengum rettai ilia kolamidungal’ was a popular party song played in every AIADMK meeting. The DMK, through its party songs, associated the ‘Rising Sun’ with Karunanidhi. One of the songs describe Karunanidhi as a leader with the permanent symbol of ‘Rising Sun’ (Unlike MGR who had changed his symbol). After MGR’s demise, his followers, split into two factions headed by former Chief Ministers VN Janaki and Jayalalithaa, fought hard to garner the symbol. 

Former minister HV Hande, one of the AIADMK deputy general secretaries appointed by MGR, supported Jayalalithaa, while the other deputy general secretary backed Janaki. Recalling the struggle for ‘Two Leaves’ almost three decades ago, Hande said, “Poll symbols had acquired a lot of importance at that time and Jayalalithaa, who did not contest on the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, was able to win only 27 seats. The situation was not like that in the 1950s and 1960s, when Congress won elections under the ‘Two Bulls’ symbol. More than the symbol, the personality of leaders counted at that time. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi won with different symbols--‘Cow and Calf’ and ‘Hand’ symbol, which she introduced in 1980” to emerge victorious.”

However, Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T Velmurugan, one of the young leaders struggling to make a mark in politics, argues that symbols give an undue advantage for established political parties and new parties are unable to emerge in the electoral arena of Tamil Nadu politics. His grievance is not unfounded, since he was one leader who suffered due to ‘symbol problem’ with the AIADMK. Velmurugan was considered as a staunch ally of the AIADMK. But, at the eleventh hour he was not admitted into the AIADMK front. 

Recalling the experience, Velmurugan said “I was asked to contest on ‘Two Leaves’, but I refused saying that I want to function as an independent party. Finally, I contested on ‘Camera’ symbol and polled around 31,000 votes. People identified me with ‘Mango’ symbol on which I have contested and won as a PMK candidate earlier.” Velmurugan is of the opinion that parties must not be given permanent symbols and each party must be given different ones in every election. However, CPM MP TK Rangarajan differed and said, “We have won with our symbol in West Bengal for many decades, but are losing elections with the same symbol now. Indira Gandhi had won elections with different symbols and when MGR won elections with ‘Two Leaves’, it was a new symbol. Symbol is only an identity and an emotional attachment for cadre. But, people are intelligent and they can see beyond symbols,” he said and pointed out that the AIADMK and DMK men win elections in local body elections in rural areas where the candidates are not allotted party symbols.