THE Election Commission on Saturday barred the Chirag Paswan and the Pashupati Kumar Paras factions from using the name of Lok Janshakti Party or its symbol ‘bungalow’ till the dispute between the rival groups is settled by the poll panel. The commission also said that the two factions can use free symbols available to field their candidates for the by-polls to two Assembly seats in Bihar in the coming days. “Both the groups shall be known by such names by as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Lok Janshakti Party (LJP),” the order read. By-polls for the Kusheshwar Asthan and the Tarapur Assembly seats in Bihar will be held on October 30.

 

The interim order, signed by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and fellow Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey, covers the October 30 bypolls to 30 Assembly seats and three Lok Sabha seats across India, including two Assembly constituencies in Bihar. The order would “continue till the final determination of the dispute in the matter” according to provisions of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The Election Commission (EC) noted that a final settlement, as demanded by one of the factions, was not possible before October 8. The date of nomination for the bypolls started on October 1 and will close on October 8. The poll panel said it is issuing the interim order seeking to place both the rival groups on an even keel and to protect their rights and interests.