Seven political parties of Telangana lose their common election symbol ahead of GHMC elections

HYDERABAD: Ahead of GHMC elections, seven registered political parties including M Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samithi, have lost the common election symbol allotted to them as they failed to contest in 10 per cent of the total seats in the local body elections held earlier this year.The Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC) has informed that Jana Shankhaaraavam Party (Bat), Telangana Jana Samithi (Match Box), BC United Front (Battery Torch), Mana Telangana Rashtra Samaikya Party (Whistle), Praja Sena Party (Cup and Saucer), Samajwadi Forward Bloc Party (Scissors) and Yuva Telangana Party (Gas Cylinder) have lost its common election symbol respectively.“The above said political parties failed to set up 10% candidates in the ordinary elections to municipalities and municipal Corporations held in January, 2020 as a result they have lost the common symbol allotted to them, forfeited the deposit amount and are ineligible to apply afresh for a common symbol for remaining period of five years ending with January 7, .2025,” TSEC said in a statement.As per paragraph 6A in Part-III of Symbols Order, 2018 (amended up to 30.12.2019), after allotment of common symbol, if the party fails to contest in 10 % of total seats in any subsequent ordinary elections, the party will lose its common symbol for further elections and also cannot apply afresh till the completion of five years period from the date of allotment of common symbol and forfeit the deposit amount of Rs 10,000.