JD (S) factions fight for poll symbol in UP

New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) While many political parties are locked in a survival battle in the coming Uttar Pradesh elections, the two factions of a fringe political party are using the country's biggest state for an interesting tussle-- to win the Election Commission's nod to use the electoral symbol.

The two factions the Janata Dal (Secular), one headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and the other by rival group led by veteran socialist leader Surendra Mohan, have entered the electoral fray on the same symbol-- a lady farmer carrying a head load of paddy hay stack.

The official faction of Mr Gowda, recognised in Karnataka and Kerala by the EC, is fielding candidates on 15 seats while Mr Mohan's faction has announced a list of 34 candidates and has threatened to field another nine on the same symbol.

Notwithstanding the rebel's claim, they have a bleak chance of getting the party symbol as the EC has communicated to the UP Chief Electoral Officer its decision to allot the symbol to Mr Gowda's official party.

The two sides have expelled leaders of each others factions after the JD (S) joined hands with the BJP to form the government in Karnataka one and a half years ago.

UNI