Vijayakanth urges EC to grant recognition to DMDK

Chennai, Sep 28 (UNI) Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder President Vijayakanth today urged the Election Commission of India to grant recognition to the party after relaxing the existing rules.

Addressing a press conference here, the actor-turned politician said as per the existing norms of the Commission, a party should get six per cent of the total votes polled and win two seats, or get three per cent of the total seats to get the recognition.

He said though the DMDK had won only one seat, it had secured about 28 lakh of votes, which is more than seven lakh of the prescribed norms.

He wanted that the Commission should relax the existing rules and grant recognition based on ''one MLA seat and six per cent of votes'' it secured, or restore the old norms that a party could obtain recognition by securing four per cent of the total votes.

Party's Presidium President Panruti S Ramachandran said they met the Commission authorities and personally apprised them of the views. He hoped that the Commission would grant recognition to the party shortly.

However, he felt that they were concerned over the Commission's silence and added that if the recognition was granted prior to ensuing by-election and local body elections, it would mean that they favoured a particular party.

He also alleged that the Commission's hesitation might be due to the political pressure from the ruling DMK which is also controlling the Congress-led UPA at the Centre.

Referring to DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's reported remark that he was unnecessarily blamed on the issue, Mr Ramachandran said if he was not to be blamed, he could have told the Commission that the DMK has no objection to providing recognition to the DMDK and also alloting 'drum' symbol.

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