EC reserves its verdict on SP's party symbol

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Friday reserved its order in the Samajwadi Party's symbol case after hearing arguments of the two warring factions, led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, for close to five hours . The commission is expected to pass an interim order before the notification of polls in Uttar Pradesh on January 17.

EC said that both Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav, have presented the documents to stake their claim over the party symbol 'Cycle'.

EC has said that it will decide on which group will get the party symbol and will announce its decision on Saturday.

Both the warring groups have put up claims on the cycle symbol, being used by the party for the last 25 years.

While party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav has himself gone to Delhi to plead the case, the other faction led by his son and chief minister Ahilesh Yadav will be represented by his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav.

According to party insiders, if the Commission does not allot cycle symbol to either faction and decides to freeze it, the Akhilesh faction may go for motorcycle symbol which is an up gradation from the common man's cycle and the Mulayam group may opt for farmer ploughing a field, the symbol used by the Lok Dal.