New Delhi: Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India's plea for a common symbol to contest the upcoming MCD polls on Monday opposed in the Delhi High Court by the Delhi State Election Commission.
The poll panel said the party's plea was not maintainable because there are many registered but unrecognised parties which have not been given a common symbol. It wanted to know "why should such preference be given to Swaraj India?" The poll panel's submission was made before Justice Hima Kohli, who listed the matter for hearing tomorrow.
The Delhi State Election Commission (DSEC) also said it was only implementing the directions of the Union government which has the power to change the rules.
It said the powers to change the rules have been delegated to the Lieutenant Governor and not to it. The Commission contended that Swaraj India has not challenged their March 14 notifuication which bars grant of a common symbol to the candidates of unrecognised but registered parties.
Swaraj India, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, said it has challenged the March 14 notification. The court, however, said since the affidavit has not been taken on record yet, the matter will be heard tomorrow.
In its plea, Swaraj India has also sought quashing of the Delhi State Election Commission's April 2016 notification which said the nominees of such parties would be treated as independent candidates for allotment of symbols. The MCD polls are scheduled for April 22. Swaraj India was floated in October last year by Yadav and Bhushan, who were expelled from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after they questioned Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.
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