Question

Consider the following about political parties and their election symbols:

1. The symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party is the Lotus.

2. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) symbol includes a hammer and sickle and a star.

3. The Indian National Congress symbol is the Elephant.

4. The Aam Aadmi Party’s symbol is the Broom.

Which are correct?

• A. 1, 2 and 4 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1, 2 and 4 only

Election Symbols in Indian Politics

• In India, election symbols are visual representations allocated to political parties and independent candidates by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• These symbols play a crucial role, especially for illiterate voters, in identifying their chosen candidate or party on the ballot paper.
• The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, governs the allocation and reservation of these symbols.

1. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - Lotus

• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one of India's two major political parties, uses the Lotus (कमल) as its election symbol.
• The Lotus symbol was adopted when the BJP was formed in 1980.
• Historically, the party's predecessor, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (founded in 1951), had 'Deepak' (lamp) as its symbol.
• The lotus is a significant symbol in Indian culture, representing purity, beauty, spiritual awakening, and prosperity.

2. Communist Party of India (Marxist) - Hammer, Sickle and Star

• The Communist Party of India (Marxist), often referred to as CPI(M), has the symbol of a Hammer, Sickle and Star (हथौड़ा, हंसिया और तारा).
• This symbol is universally recognized as representing communist and socialist movements worldwide.
• The Hammer traditionally symbolizes industrial workers, while the Sickle represents agricultural labourers or peasants. The Star signifies internationalism and solidarity.
• The CPI(M) was formed in 1964 following a split from the Communist Party of India (CPI). The CPI's symbol is 'Ears of Corn and Sickle'.

3. Indian National Congress (INC) - Hand

• The Indian National Congress (INC), another major national party, uses the Hand (हथेलि) as its election symbol.
• This symbol was adopted in 1978 during the leadership of Indira Gandhi, following a split in the party (Congress (I) for Indira).
• Prior to this, the Congress party had different symbols: initially, 'Two bullocks with yoke' (1952-1969) and later 'Cow and Calf' (1971-1977).
• The statement in the question that INC's symbol is the Elephant is incorrect. The Elephant is the election symbol of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a prominent state party primarily in Uttar Pradesh.

4. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) - Broom

• The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a relatively newer political party that emerged from the anti-corruption movement, uses the Broom (झाड़ू) as its election symbol.
• The broom symbolizes cleanliness and purification, resonating with the party's core agenda of eradicating corruption from the political system.
• The AAP was officially launched in 2012 by Arvind Kejriwal.

Key Facts about Election Symbols:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the body responsible for reserving, allotting, and registering election symbols.
• Symbols are categorized into Reserved Symbols (for recognized national and state parties) and Free Symbols (for independent candidates and unrecognised registered parties).
• A party must meet certain criteria (vote percentage and seats won in general elections) to be recognized as a National or State party and thus be allotted a reserved symbol.