CHENNAI: After much political heat over allocation of symbols to parties in Tamil Nadu that are against the BJP by the Election Commission, the VCK got its ‘pot’ symbol on Saturday. While the MDMK has to make do with ‘matchbox’ in Tiruchy, the only seat it is contesting in the DMK-led INDIA alliance, former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who is contesting as an Independent, was allocated ‘jackfruit’ symbol in Ramanathapuram.
The VCK has emerged successful in getting ‘pot’ after several run-ins with the EC, but the MDMK faces the unenviable task of popularising its new symbol in just a few days. VCK sources said the party was confident of getting back its symbol as both its candidates, Thol Thirumavalavan (Chidambaram) and D Ravikumar (Villupuram), are sitting MPs.
Speaking to reporters in Ariyalur, Thirumavalavan said, “We are delighted to have been assigned the ‘pot’ symbol. Since candidates are contesting on behalf of VCK not only in Tamil Nadu but also in other states, we applied to the ECI two months ago demanding ‘pot’ as the common symbol. But ECI rejected it, saying that the party did not meet the minimum requirement of polling 1% of total valid votes in the last election. It shocked us. We filed a petition in the Delhi High Court and said ECI had given wrong information regarding VCK’s vote share. The ECI had deliberately denied us the symbol.”
DMK working for my victory: Durai Vaiko
“ECI is acting as a party office of Sangh Parivar organisations. It acts as an election wing of the BJP. As none of the Independent candidates have claimed the symbol now, it has been reserved for us,” Thirumavalavan said.
Meanwhile, Tiruchy constituency returning officer M Pradeep Kumar on Saturday allotted ‘matchbox’ symbol to MDMK candidate Durai Vaiko. After the party’s failed attempts to secure the ‘top’ symbol, Durai Vaiko, in his affidavit, had opted for gas cylinder and matchbox symbols. Durai Vaiko said, “The matchbox symbolises fierceness which will put an end to BJPs rule. With the help of DMK’s mighty IT wing we will take our new symbol to every household in next 24 hours.”
In a veiled reference to disquiet within DMK alliance over his open rejection of the party’s suggestion to contest on the ‘rising sun’ symbol, Durai Vaiko said, “Minister K N Nehru came to campaign with me even though he was weak, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi also came for campaign. In Pudukkottai constituency, ministers S Regupathy and Siva Meyyanathan are campaigning for me. All are working tirelessly for DMK alliances victory.”