Tamilmadhi, the State Office Secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Tamil Nadu, has filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu, raising concerns about the use of the elephant symbol on the flag of actor Vijay’s newly formed political party.
The complaint states that the BSP has been using the elephant as both their party symbol and election emblem for many years. The blue flag with the elephant symbol holds significant emotional and historical value for the party, as it was chosen by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, and has been a central symbol in the party’s identity and electoral campaigns.
Actor Vijay, who recently launched his political party in Tamil Nadu, unveiled a party flag that prominently features an elephant symbol. This has drawn objections from the BSP, who argue that the elephant is a registered symbol of their party, and its usage by Vijay is inappropriate and unauthorized. Tamilmadhi, in the complaint, emphasized that despite the objections raised, Vijay has neither provided any response nor taken any action to address the concerns.
The BSP has demanded that immediate action be taken against Vijay for using their party’s symbol. They have also requested that the elephant symbol be removed from Vijay’s party flag. Failing this, the BSP has warned that they will pursue legal action to protect their rights.
Amidst this controversy, another issue has surfaced regarding the design of Vijay’s party flag. Anna Saravanan, the State President of the Vellalar Munnetra Kazhagam (VMK), an organization based in Tiruppur, has also raised objections, claiming that Vijay’s party flag closely resembles that of their registered organization.
Saravanan has stated that Vijay should change his party flag to avoid confusion and potential legal complications. He has also indicated that if Vijay fails to modify the flag, the VMK will pursue legal action to assert their rights over their own emblem and flag design.
Actor Vijay’s entry into politics has not been without controversy. The use of the elephant symbol on his party’s flag has sparked significant objections from the Bahujan Samaj Party, which views the symbol as a core part of their identity. Additionally, similarities with the flag of another organization, the Vellalar Munnetra Kazhagam, have further complicated the situation. As Vijay navigates these legal and political challenges, the outcomes of these disputes may have significant implications for his political journey and the broader political landscape in Tamil Nadu.