JVM unhappy with EC's directive on symbol change

Ranchi, Mar 16 (UNI) The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic) has expressed dissatisfaction over the Election Commission's directive to it to change the party's poll symbol from 'lock-key' to 'nagara' (drum) for the March 29 by election to Palamu Parliamentary seat.

The Morcha alleged that the UPA and NDA were responsible for the removal of party symbol ''lock-key'' saying both the camps were not comfortable with the growing popularity of JVM (D) president and Koderma MP Babulal Marandi in the state.

Mr Marandi retained the Koderma seat under the lock-key symbol as an Independent.

JVM General Secretay Ashok Verma alleged the UPA and NDA plotted to put the relatively new political outfit in a disadvantageous position by managing to get the symbol changed well after the campaign had begun in Palamu.

Mr Verma said party candidate Prabhat Kumar Bhuiyan was earlier alloted ''Lock-Key'' by the electoral officer on March 14 but was later asked to opt for any other symbol.

The EC was of the view that the very symbol had already been alloted to Asom United Democratic Front.

Mr Bhuiyan would now apporach voters with newly alloted symbol 'Nagara' though the JVM had almost finished its preliminary preparation with the former symbol.

UNI