EC gives ‘cycle’ symbol to Akhilesh, recognises him as SP chief

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, January 16

The Election Commission on Monday decided to give Samajwadi Party’s ‘cycle’ symbol to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and recognised him as national president of the party.

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SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav will be the mentor of the party.

A large number of enthusiastic supporters of Akhilesh assembled at his official residence after they came to know of the EC decision and raised pro-Akhilesh slogans.

Read: EC order just, hopeful of alliance with Cong: Ramgopal

“Netaji's face is Samajwadi party's identity. Next government will be formed under his guidance,” he claimed.

Urging his supporters to maintain discipline, Akhilesh asked them not to raise slogans against anyone.

"The group led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol ‘Bicycle’," the three-member Election Commission headed by Nasim Zaidi said in its order.

The verdict comes a day ahead of the start of the filing of nominations in the seven-phased polls in the state beginning on February 11.

The order, dealing a major blow to Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, came after the EC heard the two sides on Friday.

It also came within a fortnight of Akhilesh being anointed the national president of the party.

"The commission hereby answers the issue by holding that the groups 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 EC order said.

Reacting to the EC order, a jubilant Ramgopal Yadav, who is the chief minister's uncle and General Secretary of the group, said, "The EC took the right decision as they (Mulayam camp) did not have any supporting documents to claim symbol and party name."

"The Chief Minister is very happy," he said.

About party's plans for an alliance with Congress in the state for the coming elections, he said, "The party president will be deciding it. I hope it will happen."

As news of EC order trickled in, hordes of Akhilesh loyalists broke into celebrations outside the 5-Kalidas Marg residence of the chief minister.

There were scenes of jubilation in the VIP security zone that houses the complex where Akhilesh and Mulayam live in separate bungalows.

"Our prayer has been answered. We will now work with full zeal and vigour to ensure the victory of our Akhilesh bhaiya," said a youth SP leader outside the CM's bungalow.

As soon as he got the news, Akhilesh went to meet his father to seek his blessings.

Interestingly, the EC announcement came hours after Akhilesh supporters put up his brand new name plate at the SP headquarters that read "Akhilesh Yadav, Party President" strategically positioned directly under his father's nameplate which mentions Mulayam as "Party President". — With PTI inputs

Watch: Supporters celebrate outside Akhilesh Yadav's residence

#WATCH: Supporters celebrate outside Akhilesh Yadav's residence in Lucknow aftr EC says group led by him is entitled to use 'Bicycle' symbol pic.twitter.com/nHDMFB6Pjm

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 16, 2017