Delhi HC Orders ECI to Allot Common Symbol to Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh for Bihar Assembly Polls

The Delhi High Court on Thursday, October 9, directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to allot a common election symbol to the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh (ABJS) for contesting the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.

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

A Bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna set aside the ECI’s earlier notification that had refused to grant a common symbol to the party, citing internal disputes within its ranks.

The Court directed the ABJS to submit a fresh application to the ECI for the allotment of a common symbol in accordance with the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order.

Two days back, the Court had sought the ECI’s response on another petition filed by the ABJS seeking a common symbol after the Commission had declined the request, pointing to internal disputes within the party.

During the recent hearing, however, the Court was informed that the dispute had been resolved and was “no longer material” as Sameer Singh Chandel, who had been involved in the disagreement, had been expelled and no longer had any association with the party.

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.

Case Title: Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh v. ECI

Date of Order: October 9, 2025

Bench: Justice Mini Pushkarna