HYDERABAD: An unknown independent candidate, Bandaru Nagaraju, had surprised everyone in the Dubbak assembly by-election last year when he finished fourth at the hustings with 3,570 votes. Nagaraju, who did not even campaign, got the votes simply because the symbol allotted to him – a rolling pin or roti maker – looked strikingly similar to TRS’ car. This was enough to confuse many voters and TRS lost the election to the BJP by a margin of just 1,431 votes.
It is not surprising, therefore, that as many as 20 candidates – both independents and those from smaller parties – are insisting that they be allotted symbols like the road-roller, truck, auto, tractor and roti maker, for the Huzurabad by-election to be held on October 30. All of these symbols resemble TRS’ car.
TRS leaders say it would be a mistake to allot such symbols to smaller players again as it has hurt their chances in the 2019 Lok Sabha election as well.This time around in Huzurabad, Anna YSR Congress party candidate Mohd Mansoor Ali, Praja Ekta Party nominee Srikanth Silveru, Dalit Bahujan Party candidate Devunoori Srinivasu, Ambedkar National Congress Party leader and several other independents like Podishetti Raju, Buchireddy Abbadi, have asked the election authorities to allot road-roller, truck and tractor symbols.
Returning officer of Huzurabad, Ch Ravinder Reddy, told STOI that he would take a call on allotment of symbols during scrutiny of nominations. “It is true some candidates have asked for road roller, truck and tractor with a specific intention. The candidates have given their preferences which is not final,” the returning officer said.Nominations for the Huzurabad bypoll ended on Friday. Sixty-one candidates, including those from recognised national parties, regional parties, registered political parties and independents have filed their nominations. While TRS, BJP and Congress are major parties with reserved symbols, the returning officer will be allotting symbols to other candidates.
TRS is planning to approach the Election Commission asking it to not allot the confusing symbols to anyone. The party had complained to the commission after the 2019 elections as well and had some symbols removed. On the advice of the commission, TRS even redesigned its car symbol.
