LS polls: It’s time for symbol game

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 3

The ongoing election campaign received an impetus with the release of symbols by the district election authorities here on Friday.

There are 30 candidates in fray and most of them are independents. The candidates of established parties are known figures and equally famous are their party symbols.

Contrarily, independents have to strive hard among voters to introduce themselves, their vision and their symbols. So, they tend to spice up their campaign with cutouts and photos of their symbols. Sometime, they also take symbols along.

For instance, Sham Lal Gandhi was on Friday seen carrying tea kettle to make voters aware of his symbol.

BK Sharma’s symbol is air cooler. He also carries an air cooler while campaigning. The owner of two dhabas at the Batala road, Sharma says such an electioneering is convenient for a candidate like him with limited means.

Congress’ palm-facing hand is a well-known symbol. Similar, is the case with the symbol (lotus) of the BJP. Over a brief period of time, AAP too has managed to popularise its symbol – broom.

Autodriver Mahinderjit Singh ‘Bakri’ has received sewing machine as symbol. Contesting election, as he has been doing so for the past several decades, is a craze for him. However, he is a little disappointed with people who do not take independents seriously. “All leading political parties have betrayed people,” he adds.

Other independents include Mohinder Singh Namdhari (harmonium), Balwinder Singh (pen drive), Jaspal Singh (door handle), Chan Singh Banka (football), Chand Kumar (pants), Gautam (ship), Kabal Singh (briefcase), Harjinder Singh (stamp), Surjit Singh (carpet), Suman Singh (ludo), Shubham Kumar (computer) and Sunil Kumar Mattu (utensil).