Delhi HC allows Dinakaran's plea to use common poll symbol

The Delhi High Court on Friday allowed sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dinakaran's plea for use of a common poll symbol -- preferably 'pressure cooker' -- and a suitable party name to carry on with his politics.

Justice Rekha Palli directed the Election Commission to do the needful within three weeks after giving the Dinakaran faction of the AIADMK an appropriate hearing.

The court said: "However, keeping in view the nature of the relief sought in the application, while upholding the petitioner's (Dinakaran) right to seek the use of a common name and symbol by way of an interim arrangement during the pendency of the writ petition, I deem it appropriate to direct the Election Commission of India, which has the necessary expertise to deal with allotment of symbols, to pass an appropriate order to permit the petitioner and his group of persons to use a common symbol (preferably 'pressure cooker' as used by the petitioner during R.K. Nagar constituency bypoll) and also permit them to use the (party) name of their choice, after giving them an appropriate hearing."

The court was hearing Dinakaran's plea for permission to use "pressure cooker" symbol for local bodies elections likely in April in Tamil Nadu or any other elections, during the pendency of the writ petitions regarding the AIADMK's 'two leaves' symbol.

In December 2017, Dinakaran won the Radhakrishnan Nagar bypoll as an Independent which he contested with 'pressure cooker' symbol.

Dinakaran has challenged the Election Commission order to award the 'two leaves' symbol to a faction led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.

--IANS

akk/tsb/dg