The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Election Commission on a plea by a Tamil Nadu-based unrecognised political party- Naam Tamilar Katchi-challenging the allotment of free symbols to unrecognised political parties on first come, first served (FCFS) basis.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also issued a notice to another unrecognised political party that was granted the poll symbol on which Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) had contested elections in the past.
The high court had on March 1 dismissed the NTK's petition challenging the allotment of free symbols by the poll panel to unrecognised political parties on first come, first served basis.
It had rejected the NTK's contention that the Election Symbols Order to this effect was arbitrary and unconstitutional, saying a contrary view would operate against the very essence of having free symbols.
The petitioner was aggrieved by the allotment of free symbol 'ganna kisan' (sugarcane farmer) to another political party in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While issuing the notice on the petition, the CJI said the appeal will be taken up for hearing after the Holi vacation.