CPM files complaint with EC on INDIA bloc ‘misusing’ its symbol

Ranchi: The Marxist Communist Party of India filed a protest with the Election Commission on Wednesday, alleging that the INDIA bloc partners in Jharkhand are utilising the party's symbol for campaigns.

The CPM claimed that the party is not a member of the INDIA bloc in the state and that it is separately running for nine seats in the 81-member assembly in its complaint to Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar.

“The CPM is not included in the seat-sharing arrangement among the parties in the INDIA bloc in the state. We have been receiving information from all places that our election symbol —a hammer, sickle, and star— is being used by the Congress and the JMM in their campaigns without our consent,” the complaint said, the New Indian Express reported.

Only the Congress, JMM, RJD, and CPI (ML) are formally a part of the INDIA bloc in Jharkhand, according to CPM state secretary Prakash Viplav. “The use of the CPM’s symbol by these parties has caused significant confusion, both among voters and party candidates. Unauthorised use of the hammer and sickle symbol is creating unnecessary complications, potentially influencing voters who might associate the symbol with the INDIA alliance,” said Viplav.

The EC was requested by the CPM to step in and put an end to the misuse of its symbol. The INDIA bloc's seat-sharing agreement states that the JMM has fielded candidates for 43 Assembly seats, the Congress for 30, the RJD for six, and the CPI (ML) for four.

Since a seat-sharing agreement could not be achieved for the Dhanwar, Chatrapur, and Vishrampur Assembly seats, the INDIA bloc's candidates will compete in friendly elections.

Jharkhand's Assembly elections will be held in two stages on November 13 and 20. On November 23, the votes will be counted.