Swaraj India gets whistle as its election symbol

NEW DELHI: In a major boost to the newly formed party which was denied a common symbol, all the candidates of Swaraj India have got `whistle' as their election symbol.

Calling it a major victory, party spokesperson Anupam said, “Efforts were made to deny us a common symbol.But all our candidates have got whistle as their election symbol.“

In a strategic move, the party had asked all its candidates to fill whistle as their first preference for an election symbol followed by `a window' and `a farmer on a tractor'. As the party was denied a common symbol, all Swaraj India candidates are being treated as independent candidates by the state election commission.

Accusing AAP of playing dirty politics, Swaraj India members said the ruling party is trying to misuse its power to stop them from contesting the election. “Despite being a registered political party, we didn't get a common symbol because of AAP's dirty ploy. AAP, which ironically was the first beneficiary of the election commission's order to grant a common symbol to registered parties, didn't implement the new rule to block us,“ he added.

The party alleged that the returning officers then cancelled the nomination of 24 of its candidates on frivolous grounds. “But all efforts by the ruling party to stop us from contesting have only strengthened our resolve to fight,“ said Anupam.

Meanwhile, the party has stepped up its campaign in the city . Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav held roadshows in the city .