TDP and its alliance partners Jana Sena and BJP arre expressing concern over allocation of Jana Sena’s glass symbol to some independent candidates, where Jana Sena candidates are not contesting.
Sensing that it was a plot articulated by the ruling YSRCP, to create confusion among anti- establishment votes, Jana Sena party filed a petition in the AP High Court seeking direction to the Election Commission to refrain from allotting the glass symbol to any independent candidate.
Jana Sena contention is that the allotment of glass symbol will create confusion among the voters. The EC allotted the symbol to 21 JSP candidates contesting the Assembly elections and 2 Lok Sabha candidates of Machilipatnam and Kakinada.
In the petition, Jana Sena pointed out that the EC had initially allotted glass symbol to Jana Sena Party for the current elections. However, it later designated the glass as a free symbol. Earlier, the JSP appealed to the EC to remove the glass symbol from the free symbol list. But, it was turned down by the EC.
Jana Sena counsel brought to the notice of the court that the EC’s decision has raised concerns that it may affect the NDA alliance candidates. The NDA leaders are asking the voters to cast their vote to glass symbol in the Assembly constituencies where Jana Sena is contesting.
During the hearing on Tuesday, advocates representing the Election Commission assured the court that the EC would take a decision within 24 hours regarding JSP’s request. Consequently, the High Court postponed further hearing to Wednesday.
The TDP and BJP leaders express concern that the confusion over glass symbol may affect transfer of Jana Sena voters towards them in constituencies where Jana Sena is not contesting, but supporting them.