INLD's Last Chance to Retain Party Symbol Hinges on 2024 Assembly Polls

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), once a strong political force in Haryana, finds itself at a critical juncture. The 2024 Assembly elections represent the party's last chance to retain its recognition as a state party and preserve its coveted election symbol.

Uncertain Future Ahead

The INLD, formerly known as Haryana Lok Dal (Rashtriya), has a glorious history of being recognized as a state party after the 1998 parliamentary elections, when it secured four Lok Sabha seats. However, the party's fortunes have taken a backseat in recent years, and its very existence now hangs in the balance.

Election Commission's Norms

According to the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, a party must meet specific criteria to be recognized as a state party. These include:

• Returning at least one member to the Lok Sabha for every 25 members or fraction thereof allotted to the state.
• Securing at least 8 percent of the total valid votes polled in the state in the last Assembly elections.
• Candidates securing at least 6 percent of the total valid votes polled, with at least two elected MLAs.
• Securing at least 3 percent of the total Assembly seats or a minimum of three seats, whichever is more.

Dismal Performance and Relief

The INLD's performance in recent elections has been dismal, falling short of fulfilling any of the above conditions. In the 2019 Assembly and parliamentary elections, the party secured only 2.44% and 1.9% of the votes, respectively. In the recently concluded 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party garnered a mere 1.74% of the votes. 

However, an amendment to the Election Symbols Order in 2016 provided a temporary lifeline to the INLD. The amendment allowed political parties to retain their 'state party' or 'national party' status even after losing eligibility in the next Lok Sabha or state Assembly elections.

The Decisive 2024 Assembly Polls

According to Ram Narain Yadav, a former additional secretary of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, the INLD falls under the category of parties that benefited from the 2016 amendment. However, he emphasized that the party must fulfill the statutory conditions for recognition as a state party in the 2024 Assembly elections. Failure to do so may prompt the Election Commission to initiate the derecognition process.

A Battle for Survival

The 2024 Assembly elections have become a battle for survival for the INLD. If the party fails to meet the Election Commission's norms, it risks losing its state party status and, consequently, its reserved election symbol – a symbol that has been an integral part of its identity and a source of recognition among voters.

Reviving the Glory Days

For the INLD, led by the Chautala family, the 2024 polls represent an opportunity to revive the glory days of the party's past. Regaining recognition as a state party would not only preserve its symbol but also reinvigorate its standing in Haryana's political landscape. 

As the countdown to the Assembly elections begins, all eyes will be on the INLD's performance. The party's leadership must rally its supporters and devise strategic campaigns to secure the necessary votes and seats to meet the Election Commission's criteria. Failure to do so could relegate the once-mighty INLD to the annals of history, robbing Haryana of a prominent political voice and depriving voters of a long-standing choice.