POLITICAL SYMBOL-ISM

Whenever the election cymbals (drums) are sounded, the election symbols of political parties take over. However, a deeper look at the symbols of political parties reveals the funnier linkages between our political parties and their symbols.

Let us take up the national parties first.  Most of the readers would realise that these so-called 'national' parties are actually not 'nationalistic' parties.  Their only claim to being 'national' is that some of them have the word 'national' prefixed or suffixed to their names!

The Indian National Congress chose the 'hand' as its symbol.  In one of its earlier avatars, the cow and calf was the party's symbol.  However, may be because one particular family's 'calfs' (calves if you are stickler for grammar), calves meaning the descendants, were always milking the country, the party wisely let go of the symbol.  So now, it's the 'hand'!  A closer scrutiny of the party's 'hand' reveals that the basic lines on the 'hand' are either not formed, or are deformed.  In fact, the 'hand' does not have a 'Fate' or 'Luck' line - which could well be one of he reasons behind the sharp decline in the party's electoral fortunes!!!  In addition, the 'Head' line dips sharply downward - which in terms of palmistry is said to denote 'suicidal' or 'negative' tendencies.  It is also surprising that no other political party had the wisdom of Kalidas to think of the 'fist' as a "symbol-ic" response to the 'Hand'!  

From the 'Hand', let us move to the 'Lotus' - symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party. We all know very well where the 'Lotus' blooms. It is a different matter altogether that the party itself has been reduced to a quagmire!  Instead of spreading its fragrance, the 'scent' of power and now the lack of i, has overpowered the senses (if it had any) of the 'Lotus' party.  May be that is why the party's leaders are throwing dirt at each other!!!

Certain symbols are shared by more than one political party. The elephant - for instance, is the symbol of Bahujan Samaj party and Asom Gana Parishad.  But there is a clear-cut distinction though. One is a she-elephant and the other is a he-elephant!  If you are still puzzled, recollect the leaders of both these parties!  The leader of the BSP also resembles a she-elephant in terms of gait.  A she-elephant's gait is often compared to 'Gajagamini' - though not of the Bollywood variety.  Both the party leader and its leader are becoming bulky in size.  The she-elephant harbours ambitions of becoming the King (Queen in this case) of the "political jungle". 

Such common symbols also pose a peculiar problem.  BSP's 'elephant' is not a valid symbol in states of Assam and Sikkim where AGP's 'elephant' is the real one. If that indeed be the case, pray why can't the she-elephant and the he-elephant join their 'trunks' - sorry, join hands. Just imagine - if BSP and AGP were to join hands to form an alliance!!  It would be quite an 'elephantine' political proposition!!!  These days Fronts of all sorts are being formed - so such an alliance could be termed the 'Ele-Front'.

There goes a saying that when the elephants fight it is the grass that suffers - in this case, the so-called 'aam admi' (common man) being the grass - indeed, the "fodder" for political parties!!

Similarly, the 'cycle' is being taken for a 'political ride' by Samajwadi Party, Telugu Desam Party and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party!  If only Mulayam Singh, Bhim Singh and Chandrababu Naidu could agree to be 'pillion riders' taking turns, the wheels of the political cycle could spin a bit faster!! The three could alternatively think of uniting and choosing the 'tri-cycle' as their election symbol instead of 'bi-cycle'. A tri-cycle is also far more 'stable' than a bicycle.  The Shiv Sena and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha have a 'bow and arrow' as the symbol.  What a 'dual alliance' (pun intended) would Thackeray and Shibu Soren have made, were their parties to join hands!!!

A couple of other parties too have similar symbols.  Communist Party of India (CPI) has 'ear of corns and a sickle' as its symbol.  Despite the ears of the corn and a sickle, the party seldom talks of farmers and labourers.  The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has a 'sickle, hammer and star' as its symbol.  Again, the star in the symbol is at best, a shooting star. That is why the stars of the parties keep shooting themselves in the foo by their statements!!

National Congress Party's symbol is the 'Clock' - and not a watch. Quite a timely symbol.  The party chief realising that his 'time' is either nearing, or it is up, threw in the hat in the ring for the top post.  

We now turn our attention to some free symbols - that is, symbols up for grabs - which can be adopted by other political parties, or independent candidates.  "Bangles" firs of all. All our political parties and leaders deserve this to be their symbol.  No party would ever think of making a 'book' as the symbol, for a good majority is either semi-literate, or hail from a criminal background.  In fact, the RJD chief too could think of replacing the 'Lantern' with a 'Railway Engine'.  However, as he also headed the Ministry once, the Model Code of Conduct might come in the way. 

Some symbols even tickle the palate of this poverty stricken land of ours. If you have the ice-cream and cake, why not burgers and pizzas?  That way one could ensure indirect participation of Multi-National Companies (MNCs) and parties with burger or pizza as a symbol would have no problem in getting funds from MNCs.  Alternatively, the'Hand' party might soon feel tempted to go in for 'Pizza' as its new election symbol for obvious reasons.

Of course, for the political health of our nation, fresh fruits too have been allotted as election symbols.  So, you have pineapples, cherries and bananas too as election symbols.  One wonders if parties that have been allotted these symbols are able to reap the electoral 'fruits'. 

If culinary items are the order of the day, entertainment certainly cannot lag behind.  Therefore, you have the violin, flute and drum as symbols.  This makes it simple for political parties to 'blow their own trumpet'.  It is a different matter altogether that after the elections, when the results were announced, most of the parties would have to 'face the music'.  Quite 'Symbol-ic' results, one must say.

One could go on  and on.  But on second thoughts, the election symbols merit an encyclopedia. The title for proposed encyclopedia could be - "SYMBOL-IC ENCYCLOPEDIA".  After all, symbolism continues to be the order of the day in Indian politics.   

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