NEW DELHI: In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has taken a significant step by issuing notices to 26 political parties and the Election Commission of India (ECI) based on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The PIL seeks to restrain opposition parties from utilizing the acronym "INDIA" (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) for their alliance.
The Division Bench, composed of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Amit Mahajan, has directed political parties and the election regulatory body to provide a response to the petition filed by activist Girish Bharadwaj, represented by advocate Vaibhav Singh.
The petitioner's counsel highlights that the PIL pertains to the recent formation of an "alliance using the name INDIA" by respondent political parties. Acknowledging the complexity of the matter, the bench has scheduled a hearing, with Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma acknowledging the importance of the ECI's response. The hearing is slated for October 31.
The PIL aims to compel the respondent political parties to desist from using the acronym INDIA and further seeks a directive to the Central government and the ECI to take appropriate action against these parties for employing the said acronym. The petitioner, Bharadwaj, expresses dissatisfaction with the ECI's lack of action against the 26 parties.
According to the PIL, a significant development took place on June 23, wherein prominent leaders and members of 16 out of the 26 political parties congregated in Patna, Bihar, to strategize for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha general elections. During this gathering, an alliance was formed, although it remained unnamed. A subsequent meeting in Bengaluru was held to finalize the alliance's name and convener.
In a closed-door meeting on July 18, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge publicly announced the alliance's name as INDIA during a joint press conference. Notably, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenged the NDA and BJP, suggesting that INDIA would triumph over BJP. The plea underscores that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during the same meeting, stated, "This battle is between NDA and India, between Narendra Modi and India," thereby insinuating a conflict between the alliance and the nation.
The PIL further contends that Rahul Gandhi's mention of the alliance's name in conjunction with the country "cunningly" implies a conflict between the NDA/BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the nation itself. This maneuver, the plea alleges, has led to confusion among the general public, fostering the perception that the upcoming 2024 general election will be a contest between political parties or an alliance and the nation.
In a move that underscores the significance of ensuring clarity and fair representation in the electoral process, the Delhi High Court's notice to political parties and the ECI serves to address the concerns raised in the PIL. As the hearing date approaches, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for political discourse and the understanding of electoral dynamics in India.
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