Mulayam lost 'cycle' symbol as he did not follow EC directions: Kapil Sibal

With the Election Commission allotting the Samajwadi Party symbol 'cycle' to the Akhilesh Yadav-led faction, senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who represented Akhilesh before the poll panel, said the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led faction lost the claim as they did not follow the panel's direction.

Sibal further said the poll panel did not go into the nitty-gritty details as to whether the constitution of the party was followed or not, and came to the conclusion that over-whelming majority was with Akhilesh.

"The Mulayam Singh's group did not respond to the EC's direction and filed individual affidavits. Also Mulayam Singh's group chose not to file in response to our affidavit and that meant that they really have no evidence in support of their claim," Sibal told reporters here.

Sibal further informed that on January 4th the Commission issued notice to Mulayam camp, asking them to file an affidavit in response to voluminous documents that were filed by Akhilesh.

He further said that on January 9 the Akhilesh group had filed all documents at various Parliamentary levels, because there was an overwhelming support from the Samajwadi Party MP's MLA's and MLC's.

The Election Commission today entitled Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav the Samajwadi Party 'cycle' symbol, giving a major shot in the arm for the Akhilesh camp ahead of the assembly polls.

"The Commission hereby announces that the group led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol 'Bicycle' for the purposes of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968," the order read.

Reacting to the developments, Akhilesh's aid and uncle Ram Gopal Yadav applauded the Election Commission for handing out a just and fair order.

"I would like to laud the Election Commission for giving a just order and the Commission will also be blessed by the people of Uttar Pradesh. I would like to congratulate all the Samajwadi Party workers and ask them to work and make Akhilesh the Chief Minister again," he told the media here.