The party’s opponents and observers feel that while without the symbol the party would have remained weaker, the position will not change dramatically in the absence of strong and charismatic leadership. “There is no doubt that there is a vote bank for the symbol of a political party. “Jayalalithaa was defeated in the Bargur Assembly constituency with the very ‘two leaves’ symbol,” Mr. Balu adds. He says sometimes, the retaining of the symbol of a political party is keenly awaited by another party. “Here, more than the AIADMK, the BJP needs Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and the two leaves symbol.”

Source: The Hindu November 24, 2017 19:52 UTC