Mulayam warns against use of party flags, stickers

To stop blatant misuse of power, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav issued a stern warning to party leaders on Sunday to contain the misuse of party symbols -- flag, stickers, photos of party leaders on visiting cards and red beacon.

The party has received large-scale complaints about local workers using party symbols. Even on visiting cards, local leaders had got their own photos printed along with that of Singh.

After the party came to power in the state, the use of party symbols had been regulated by a guideline issued on March 14, 2012, under which only district unit office bearers and above were authorized to use flags and stickers.

Hooters and red beacon are banned countrywide even for ministers. So MLAs, MPs and district unit leaders were not authorised to use hooters on vehicles, said SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhury.

In case of party functions, organisers cannot put up their own pictures on hoardings and banners. Only pictures of Mulayam Singh, Akhilesh Yadav and the chief guest can be used.

The party has even banned use of popular sticker "Mission 2014".

In a communication to all district units, Yadav has directed the local leaders to stop misuse of party symbols. Chief minister and state Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has constituted a 15-member committee to monitor the situation.