How did BJP got Lotus, Congress got Hand as its party symbol?

New Delhi: The narrative behind political party symbols in Indian elections is intriguing, particularly the iconic emblems like the Lotus of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Claw of the Congress. These symbols have deep-rooted historical significance, tracing back to the era post-independence when literacy rates were considerably low, necessitating the use of symbols for electoral identification.

In contemporary politics, these symbols hold immense importance for parties, often becoming synonymous with their identities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a pre-election appeal, famously urged voters to perceive the Lotus as the BJP. Despite advancements in literacy, the tradition of election symbols remains pertinent, occasionally sparking legal battles, especially during party rifts.

Notably, disputes over symbols arose recently between factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Shiv Sena, highlighting the contentious nature of these emblems. Independent candidates, unlike established parties, must select symbols from the Election Commission's available list, allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The origin of election symbols dates back to the early 1950s, with MS Sethi, a draftsman, crafting symbols using an HB pencil, some of which are still in use today. Initially, symbols featuring animals were prevalent, but opposition led to their discontinuation in 1991, although some parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) still retain them.

The BJP, founded in 1980, adopted the Lotus as its symbol, drawing inspiration from Hindu tradition and its historical association with the freedom movement against British colonialism. Conversely, the Congress's symbol evolved from a pair of oxen to a hand's paw, symbolizing the party's various factions and ideological shifts over the years.

The saga of Congress's symbols reflects its tumultuous history, from divisions under leaders like Jagjivan Ram to the emergence of factions led by figures like Indira Gandhi. Despite legal battles and electoral upheavals, these symbols endure as potent markers of political identity, shaping the discourse of Indian democracy.