Delhi High Court seeks ECI response on Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh's plea for election symbol allotment

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought response of Election Commission of India (ECI) to a petition filed by political party Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh seeking allotment of a common party symbol for contesting the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar [Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh Vs Election Commission of India].

Jan Sangh claimed that it applied to ECI on June 2 under the 'Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order' for allotment of a party symbol and even sent a reminder on July 4. On receiving no response from ECI, Jan Sangh moved the Court. 

Justice Mini Pushkarna heard the matter and issued notice to ECI.

Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh, registered in 1989, is an unrecognised political party that claims origins from the Bhartiya Jan Sangh.

According to the petition, the party has the constitutional and statutory right to contest elections and non-allotment of election symbol would take away its opportunity to contest Bihar elections. 

The Court will hear the matter next on August 19.

Advocate Pranay Ranjan appearing for the party.

Advocate Rohini Prasad accepted notice on behalf of the ECI.