No 'common symbol' for Paraja Rajyam: EC

Confirming the Praja Rajyam Party's worst fears, the Election Commission has made it clear that a common symbol would not be allotted to the party candidates for the forthcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh.

This could prove to be a major electoral disaster for actor Chiranjeevi's fledgling party as it will now have to contest the elections on different symbols, as it is not yet a recognised political party.

Chiranjeevi, however, told mediapersons in Nizamabad, where he is conducting a road show on Wednesday, that they would challenge the EC's decision in the high court to get a common symbol allotted.

Chiranjeevi met Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami in Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi recently and pleaded for the allocation of a common symbol for PRP candidates as the party has already been registered. He cited past instances wherein certain parties were allotted a common symbol despite they not being recognised.

The ECI, in a letter to the PRP, clarified that under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, only recognised political parties are eligible for a permanent election symbol while registered parties will have to choose from the 'free symbols' available.