MDMK loses its ‘top’ symbol as it contests in just one seat in LS polls

Chennai, March 28 (IANS) The MDMK, as part of the INDIA bloc in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, has decided to contest only one seat in Tamil Nadu, leading to the loss of the opportunity to contest under the “top” symbol. The party’s candidate, Durai Vaiko, will be contesting from the Tiruchi Lok Sabha seat.

The party had moved the Madras High Court to seek allotment of the symbol, but the Election Commission (EC) stated that the plea could have been considered if the party had contested in at least two seats in this Lok Sabha polls. The high court disposed of the MDMK’s writ petition, citing the end of the nomination filing deadline.

According to ECI counsel Niranjan Rajagopalan, the party lost the right to the symbol in 2010 after losing recognition for failing to secure the minimum required votes. The ‘top’ symbol was not on the list of reserved symbols nor had it been moved to the free symbols list.

Rajagopalan mentioned that the MDMK could have sought the ‘top’ symbol allotment under a concession for de-recognised parties if they had intended to contest in two Parliamentary constituencies. Since the party indicated they would only contest in Tiruchi, the concession was not possible, as per the EC lawyer.