Delhi HC asks ECI to respond to plea for common symbol for Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond to a plea by Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh (ABJS) to use a common election symbol for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls.

The party said it was established in 1951 and renamed in 1979 and has been contesting elections throughout its existence besides applying from time to time for the election symbol from the ECI in line with the relevant laws.

The petitioner said it participated in the 2024 Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh for which the common election symbol “sitar” was allotted to it.

The plea said the petitioner with the intention to contest in the upcoming Bihar polls approached the ECI through a letter dated June 2 for getting allotted a common election symbol under the banner of ABJS.

“However, no response was forthcoming from the ECI. Subsequently, a reminder letter was sent on July 4, 2025, which again has gone unanswered,” the plea said.

The petitioner said it has a constitutional guarantee and a statutory right to contest elections subject to statutory safeguards and the non-allotment of an election symbol will take away its opportunity to contest elections.