Disallow GPP from using bat symbol: BJP asks EC

Ahmedabad: Gujarat BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) that newly-formed Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) candidates should not be allowed to fight the polls using the the symbol of a bat as it “violated” EC’s instructions. GPP is a party floated recently by BJP rebel and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel. The party was given the symbol of the bat by EC recently.[caption id=“attachment_537357” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Keshubhai Patel. AFP[/caption] “GPP violated two EC provisions when it has been given a symbol of ‘bat’ to use in the elections,” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman claimed. “EC had given the symbol to GPP on the condition that it will field candidates in all 182 constituencies and submit form ‘A’ and ‘B’ required to file nomination papers of each candidate to the state chief electoral officer as well as to the Returning Officer of the constituency. However, GPP violated both conditions and so we have complained to EC regarding the issue,” Sitharaman said. “Our demand is that GPP candidates should be given individual symbols in each constituency as they failed to comply with EC instructions,” she said. BJP’s legal cell head Parindu Bhagat said they have filed complaints with every Returning Officer of all constituencies going to polls in phase one and also with the state chief electoral officer’s office in Gandhinagar. Meanwhile, BJP also announced they will be holding rallies of Chief Minister Narendra Modi at 26 places simultaneously using 3D holographic technology on 29 November. Elections will be held in Gujarat in two phases on 13 and 17 December while votes will be counted on 20 December. PTI