Delhi HC Seeks ECI Response on Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh’s Plea for Election Symbol

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a petition filed by the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh (ABJS) seeking the allotment of a common election symbol to contest the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.

A Bench presided over by Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice to the ECI and listed the matter for the next hearing on October 9, 2025.

Two months ago, the same judge had sought the Commission’s response in another plea filed by ABJS seeking a common party symbol for the upcoming elections. However, the ECI had then refused the request, citing internal disputes within the party.

During the course of the proceedings, the Court was informed that the alleged dispute had been resolved and was “no longer material,” as Sameer Singh Chandel, who was earlier involved in the dispute, had been expelled from the party and “had no concern with its affairs after expulsion.” Considering this submission, the Court has once again sought the ECI’s response.

Established in 1951, the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh traces its origins to the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, founded by Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

The plea, filed through Advocate Pranay Ranjan, stated that the party had approached the ECI seeking allotment of a common election symbol to contest the Bihar Assembly polls under the ABJS banner. Since no response was received, the petitioner had sent a reminder on July 4, 2025. With no reply forthcoming, the party said it was compelled to move the High Court.

“The Petitioner had been contesting elections throughout its existence and had from time to time applied for an election symbol from the Respondent as per the extant laws, including in the recently concluded elections in the State of Andhra Pradesh,” the plea stated.

It further added that the party had contested the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections under the ‘Sitar’ symbol. “This was reflected in the list of political parties participating in the said elections, as well as in the results that were declared,” the plea added.

Contending that the party had both a constitutional and statutory right to contest elections, the plea said: “The Petitioner had a Constitutional guarantee and a statutory right to contest elections subject to statutory safeguards. The Election Commission of India had not responded to the letters dated June 2 and July 4, 2025, and the consequent non-allotment of a common symbol would deprive the Petitioner of its opportunity to contest elections.”

The party urged the Court to direct the ECI to consider its representations dated June 2 and July 4, 2025, and to allot a common election symbol in a time-bound manner.

The matter will be heard next on October 9, 2025.

Case Title: Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh v. Election Commission of India

Date of Order: October9, 2025

Bench: Justice Mini Pushkarna