After winning ‘cycle’ symbol, Akhilesh Yadav meets Mulayam Singh

Dealing a severe blow to Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Election Commission on Monday gave the symbol ‘bicycle’ to the faction headed by Akhilesh Yadav, that came as a major boost to the chief minister ahead of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh .

The EC also recognized Akhilesh Yadav-led faction as the real Samajwadi Party.

A mere look at the figures of supporting MLAs, MLCs and MPs, national executive members and national convention delegates “will evidently demonstrate that Shri Akhilesh Yadav enjoys overwhelming majority support, both among the organisational and legislative wing of the party”, the EC said in its order that was reserved on Friday.

The verdict by the three-member Election Commission headed by Nasim Zaidi came on the eve of the filing of nominations when parties will have to give the requisite forms authorising use of symbol to contest the elections.