the election symbol of the BJP, alleging that the logo has been selected in view of the Assembly elections due next year in five States including Goa.
Naik, on Wednesday, petitioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) demanding that it should take steps to freeze the lotus symbol as BJP has misused the symbol, against the spirit of the Symbol Order of 1968, which regulates the allotment of symbols.
The Congress leader has urged ECI to request the BRICS authorities to change the lotus as the logo, in the interest of fair and free elections.
“It is highly improper on the part of the relevant BRICS Committee, to select the election symbol of a member country, India, when it is well known that it is lotus, and that, elections of the State Assembly of Goa are due to be held in the month of February 2017 along with elections to State Assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Manipur,” Naik told media persons.
The MP alleged that the BJP has played a major role, clandestinely, in getting the logo selected. The BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held on October 15 and 16.
