The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) in response to a petition filed by the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh (ABJS), a registered but unrecognised political party, seeking the allotment of a common election symbol for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Justice Mini Pushkarna heard the matter and directed the ECI to file its response, scheduling the next hearing for August 19.

ABJS states that its origins are to the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, founded in 1951 by the late Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. The party adopted its present name in 1979 and was officially registered under that title by the ECI through a letter dated October 20, 1989, effective from September 20, 1989.