MDMK will continue to have ''top'' as symbol: Vaiko

Chennai, Jul 31 (PTI) The MDMK today said it would continue to have ''top'' as its symbol for the next six years despite the Election Commission derecognising it as regional party in Tamil Nadu. The EC''s order on the allocation of symbol had clearly stated that a derecognised party would be given the same symbol it had contested for the next six years, party chief Vaiko said here in a statement.

Though the party would not get time allotted for election broadcasts and telecasts, it would have its ''top'' symbol till July 29, 2016, he said. The EC had provided this security to the derecognised parties, he said, claiming MDMK would get back its recognition as a regional party after next year''s Assembly elections.

The rules regarding recognition of parties had clearly stated that a party, which had six per cent of votes along with two MLAs could be recognised as a regional party. The EC had not accepted the party''s contention that the it had got 5.98 per cent of popular votes in last Assembly elections and that the percentage should be considered as six per cent, he said, adding even during presidential polls, the constitution clearly states that fractions above point five per cent should be considered as one per cent.

The EC had yesterday announced that the MDMK had lost the status of regional party in Tamil Nadu and the PMK in the Union territory of Puducherry as they got less votes than prescribed for qualification as regional parties.