Green chilli, scissors, AC: Quirky symbols in MCD polls

NEW DELHI: Almirah, cauliflower, spectacles, auto-rickshaw and sewing machine are some of the symbols used by Independent candidates, adding colour and humour to the municipal polls in Delhi.

If the 'Broom' symbol of the AAP, one of the three key players in contest, had made headlines when the party had launched it, the Independent candidates in this election are being represented by a whole catalogue of catchy symbols.

So, in north Delhi, green chilli, buckets, bottle, bat and battery torch are some of the symbols.

The 'bat' symbol has been used by a candidate of a ward in Naraina village while 'sewing machine' has been picked up by the one in Dasghara Village.

Other quirky symbols used in NDMC areas are -- Gas cylinder, candle, table tractor-riding farmer, pressure cooker, cot, to name a few.

In South Delhi Municipal Corporation area, spectacle symbol has been used by candidates of Basidara Pur and a ward in Sangam Vihar.

Almirah symbol has been used by a candidate in Tilak Naga, Diamond symbol by one in Vikas Puri.

Then there are symbols ranging from coat, flute chessboard to binoculars and gramophone in SDMC wards.

In the EDMC area, some of symbols used by Independent candidates are school bag, batsman, matchbox, blackboard, glass tumbler, air-conditioner, envelope, besides gas cylinders and auto-rickshaw symbols.

The high-octane MCD elections will test the fortune of 2,537 candidates --- 1,004 in NDMC, 985 in SDMC and 548 in EDMC areas.

The AAP, which is seeking to replicate its stellar performance in 2005 Assembly polls, has fielded candidates in all 272 wards.

The BJP, which is seeking to retain the turf it has held for the last 10 years, has fielded all fresh faces in 267 wards it is contesting.

The Congress, which finished second in the Rajouri Garden bypoll, is hoping for a resurgence and banked on its big guns during campaigns to shore up its fortune, despite unabated infighting. It has fielded 271 candidates.

The BSP, the JD (U) and the SP, banking on Purvanchali vote bank has fielded 211, 95 and 28 candidates respectively.