New Delhi: The JD(U) Tuesday approached the
Election Commission seeking a way out over the
near-resemblance of its symbol with that of two other parties
contesting assembly polls in Bihar.
Alleging that "paid news" are being carried in media, the
party also requested the Commission to take action to check
such publications.
"I came to Election Commission over two issues. One is
that our election symbol is an arrow while the symbol of
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Shiv Sena are bow and arrow," JD(U)
president Sharad Yadav told reporters in front of the
Commission office here.
He said it has been seen in the past that
near-resemblance of the election sign of his party with that
of others created confusion among voters.
"I told the Commission how one MP got 70-80 thousand
votes in Supaul (district) during an election in the past. I
requested them (the EC) to find some way out in this regard,"
Yadav said. He alleged that "people" took election symbols in
Bihar by spending huge money.
Yadav said that his party's previous symbol 'chakra' --
which was seized by commission -- was "absolutely valid"
"But that symbol of our party was seized. The Election
Commission definitely done injustice (to our party by seizing
the symbol)," he charged.
On the issue of paid news, Yadav said that he told the
Election Commission that "by reading story in the newspaper,
you will come to understand if this was paid news or not."
"The Commission told us that a committee has been set up
to look into the issue and it will take all the necessary
step possible from its end," Yadav said.
"The Commission also said that it has sought support
from political parties in this regard," he added.
Yadav alleged that "money game" is on the rise in Bihar.
"This paid news will bury the democracy. People like us don't
have that much money nor we can give money to anyone for such
purpose," he claimed.
Yadav said that he raised the issue of "paid news" very
extensively before the Commission and also suggested ways. "It
is not necessary to disclose the suggestions I have made (to
the Commission)," he said.
He said he will again visit EC and meet the officials on
the issue of "paid news" later.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, October 05, 2010, 16:10