Election Commission has initiated the process for the two warring factions of Samajwadi Party - one led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and the other by Akhilesh Yadav to prove their majority to get the party symbol.
The Commission yesterday evening wrote to both factions asking for a show of strength among party delegates and MLAs, MPs and MLCs through signed affidavits. The EC is also learnt to have sought comments from the two camps to each other’s representations received by the poll panel. The EC has given them time until Monday to respond.
The poll panel moved swiftly on the SP feud as the election dates to five states, including Uttar Pradesh, were announced yesterday. The test of majority has been the standard practice adopted by the EC to gauge the strength of rival groups within a political party.