The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) has expressed its displeasure over the Election Commission of India (ECI) allowing the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to retain its election symbol, ‘Chashma’ (spectacles), despite failing to meet the required eligibility criteria. In a statement the JJP spokesperson Virender Sindhu stated that INLD’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections did not meet the conditions of the election Commission to retain the symbol but now action was taken by the EC even after ten months. The party has also criticized the delay calling it a mockery of the country’s democratic system.
Sindhu revealed that he had filed an RTI query seeking clarification from the Election Commission on the matter, but the response was unsatisfactory. He urged the commission to take immediate action, failure of which the JJP would be compelled to approach the Delhi High Court for justice.
Elaborating on the issue, Sindhu explained that INLD had originally secured the ‘Chashma’ symbol as a state party in Haryana based on its 1998 Lok Sabha performance. However, it failed to meet the Election Commission’s conditions in both the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Under Rule 6(C) of the Election Commission’s guidelines, INLD was given one final opportunity to prove its eligibility in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, it once again fell short of the required performance.
Raising concerns, Sindhu questioned how INLD was allowed to contest the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections using the ‘Chashma’ symbol despite failing to meet the EC’s criteria. He also pointed out that the party has now announced its intention to contest upcoming municipal elections under the same symbol. Accusing the Election Commission of negligence, Sindhu emphasized that ten months have passed since the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections, yet the commission has failed to act. He alleged that due to the EC’s inaction, INLD is illegally enjoying the benefits of a recognized party, which is a violation of legal norms.
It’s worth mentioning here that the JJP was carved out of the INLD after former Haryana chief minister OP Chautala’s elder son Ajay Chautala along with his sons Dushyant and Digvijay parted ways and formed the JJP ahead of 2019 assembly elections. Leaders of both the parties were claiming the legacy of the late Devi Lal. The INLD led by OP Chautala’s younger son Abhay Chautala failed to win any Lok Sabha seats and got only 1.74 percent of the polled votes and in assembly election INLD won only two seats in the 90 members Haryana assembly with 4.14 percent vote share. Since Chautala had died in December last year, the development has exposed the fissures within the Chautala family.
