Sena moves EC over similarity of Cong, Police symbol

MUMBAI: Senior Shiv Sena leader Pramod Navalkar has approached the Election Commission, seeking cancellation of Congress party's hand symbol as it bore a striking resemblance to the Maharashtra Police logo.

"I have written to the Commission. I am awaiting a response", 72-year old Navalkar, former state minister, said.

This is not the first time that the Sena veteran has pointed out the similarities in the two popular motiffs.

"Earlier, I had even written to Congress President and brought to the party's attention the similarity in the two symbols", Navalkar said. Asked if he had written to Sonia Gandhi, he replied in the negative.

Congress, however, ridiculed Navalkar's claim. "Congress symbol is the symbol of activity and not an abstract one.

There is no example in the past of the symbol being rejected on the ground of similarity by concerned authority," Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Anant Gadgil said.

"Congress has fought elections on this symbol for around 25 years. The Sena objecting to Congress symbol is a political gimmick", he said.

 Meanwhile, when contacted, state Chief Electoral Officer U P S Madan said that he was yet to receive any letter from Navalkar. "I don't know if he has written to us or to Delhi", he added.