Is CM Akhilesh Yadav a new, 'living symbol' of Samajwadi Party who doesn't depend on 'cycle'?

New Delhi: Is Chief Minister of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav a new, living symbol of the Samajwadi Party? The fight for retaining the cycle symbol is getting furious between Akhilesh and Mulayam camp. On Saturday, CM of the Uttar Pradesh tried to prove to the Election Commission (EC) that he has the support of the party workers and MLAs and hence his camp should get the cycle symbol. On Monday, however, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav tried to show that he has the support and therefore, should get the famous symbol which is know in very village in the most populous state of the India. Interestingly, is it that the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav has become so much popular that his image has itself become larger than life and he is now no more dependent on any symbol for winning election? Reportedly, there is news that Akhilesh Yadav's camp is so confident of CM's "good works" in the state that they are sure to win Assembly elections irrespective of any symbol allotted by the EC! Reportedly, they have said that even if will be allotted tortoise symbol, they will make it reach, swiftly, in every nook and corner of the state! However, whether is it true or not, people will come to know as soon as the results will be out of the state Assembly election Election Commission may freeze cycle symbol Even as the rival factions of the divided Samajwadi Party are trying to stake claim on the party symbol “cycle,” the Election Commission (EC) may freeze it. It may temporarily allot separate symbols and separate party names to the Akhilesh and Mulayam Yadav factions to contest in the upcoming state Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. It is learned that the EC is hearing both sides and is examining the evidence they furnish in order to decide who should get the symbol. This exercise, reportedly, takes three to four months. Hence the only option is to give them both separate temporary symbols. Freezing symbol not new thing for EC Freezing symbol is not a new thing for EC as in 2011, two factions of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal had staked claim to the party symbol “chair.” Interesting, the Election Commission instead approved two new symbols and party names for the rival groups. In February 2004, the constitutional body was faced with a similar situation (about three months ahead of the general elections) when a faction led by P.A. Sangma, who was then general secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party and the other headed by party president Sharad Pawar staked claim to the party symbol “clock.” ALSO READ: Mulayam Vs Akhilesh camp: Which Samajwadi Party leader is batting for whom