Hyderabad: Though Telangana Jagruthi president Kalvakuntla Kavitha commented last week that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party name (title) is free and any one can use it, the BRS and election authorities said it would not be easy to utilise the particular name for another newly launched party. Though there are no strict rules or norms as such barring use of names of the parties, which forego their old names, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will not permit to utilise the name.Kavitha’s recent comment had created ripples in the BRS circles as there were rumours that the Telangana Jagruthi leader might consider using TRS as name for her new party, which will be formally launched on April 25. Symbol woesThe BRS fears any such attempt would damage the party’s vote bank. It has already been facing problems with identical election symbols. The BRS has previously raised objections to symbols such as roti maker and road roller, which resemble its symbol of ‘car’. Then there are parties’ such as Telangana Rajya Samithi with same abbreviations.However, senior BRS leaders opined that there were no instances in the past, where the ECI allowed such attempt to use a party’s title by another outfit even if there is a change. “Generally, the ECI will not allow the name of TRS for another party, at least for two consecutive elections. Even after 10 years, it is completely ECI’s decision whether or not to allow it,” a senior BRS leader said. Even if the 10 years’ embargo is considered, no one party can for ask for the title in 2029 elections as BRS applied for a name change in 2022.Party leaders also recalled that when the TRS name changed to BRS, it had requested the ECI to not allot their previous name to another outfit or person who registers a new party in future.No bar, but EC to take callTelangana state election authorities said there were no rules barring anyone to utilise the non-existence (old party) names. As per the section 29 A of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951, after fulfilling all required rules, those wanting to launch a new party must publish the name in two national dailies and two local dailies for two days for submission of objections within 30 days. “It is the Election Commission of India that will take a call on the new party’s name. The parties that changed their name can also file objections on using their party’s old name. Generally, to avoid any confusion among voters or if there is any other valid reason, the ECI will not approve the name and advise the founders of the new party to consider other names,” an official of Telangana ECI said. Interestingly, there were suggestions to the BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao to consider going back to the party’s name to TRS after the poll debacle in December, 2023 assembly elections as the party does not have ‘Telangana’ in the name. Sources said the party may take a call on going back to TRS, only just before the next assembly elections.
