Symbol confusion: VCK, AMMK, DMDK partners in pain

According to the sources close to VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, VCK contested in the ‘Ring’ symbol in the previous elections, but the EC had rejected the symbol to the party and allotted the same symbol to an independent in Villupuram constituency. 

The VCK is contesting in two constituencies in the state, Chidambaram and Villupuram. In Chidambaram constituency, Thirumavalavan is contesting in the ‘Pot’ symbol, which is an independent symbol and in Villupuram constituency, VCK general secretary Ravikumar is contesting in the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol. 

According to VCK cadre, the party had demanded the EC to allot them ‘Ring’ symbol, but it refused citing certain rules. On the other hand, the EC had allotted the same symbol to Tamil Nadu Illaingar Katchi, which shot into fame following jallikattu protests.

“The intention of the EC is to defeat the VCK by allotting its previous symbol to a party which resembles VCK to some extent. When VCK is contesting in the ‘Rising Sun’ symbol it will be tough for people to differentiate and many will vote for the ‘Ring’ symbol,” said the sources. 

Another problem cited by VCK cadre in Chidambaram is the ‘Football’ symbol allotted to an independent candidate from Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi. According to the VCK workers, the ‘Football’ symbol resembles the ‘Pot’ symbol and what is more worrying for the cadre is that the ‘Football’ symbol is placed next to ‘Pot’ symbol on the EVMs. “There are chances that people will accidentally vote for ‘Football’ symbol,” the workers feel.  

The DMDK is also facing the same problem as the VCK. The party representatives have filed a complaint with the EC to remove the ‘Basket’ symbol from the list of approved symbols as it resembles their ‘Murasu’ symbol. 

Recently, there was a complaint from the AMMK that the ‘Pressure Cooker’ symbol allotted by the EC in RK Nagar by-election was given to independents having the same name as that of AMMK candidates.