Sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran on Thursday requested the Delhi High Court to issue directions to the Election Commission to allow him to use the "pressure cooker" symbol in the upcoming civic polls in Tamil Nadu.
Dhinakaran's counsel requested Justice Rekha Palli to to use this symbol in the upcoming civic polls and other upcoming elections as the local administration is not allowing his faction to conduct meetings and rallies due to non-availability of any party symbol and name.
Dhinakaran has also proposed three alternative names for his party.
The court, hearing Dinakaran's plea seeking permission to use the "pressure cooker" symbol for the purpose of local bodies elections likely to be held in April 2018 or any other elections, during the pendency of the writ petitions regarding two leaves symbol, asked the Election Commission why the symbol cannot be allowed to Dinakaran till the disposal of the plea.
Election Commission however said that the local body polls are conducted by the State Election Commission and it cannot interfere in that.
In December 2017, Dhinakaran won Radhakrishnan Nagar (R.K.Nagar) bye-poll as an independent candidate under the "pressure cooker" symbol.
Dhinakaran has also challenged the Election Commission order which has awarded two leaves symbol to the faction led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
Palaniswami has requested the court to dismiss Dhinakaran's plea saying that he is not a member of the party.
The court said that hearing will continue on Thursday.