The Story Behind Indira Gandhi Choosing 'Hand' Over 'Elephant', 'Bicycle' as Congress' Symbol

When Indira Gandhi chose the 'panja' over an elephant and a bicycle, few would have thought that a possibility would emerge almost 40 years later of the three symbols joining hands.

The story of Gandhi's choice of the open palm symbol, recalled in a new book, comes amid talk of an electoral alliance in Uttar Pradesh between the SP, whose symbol is the bicycle, and the BSP, which has the elephant as its electoral trademark. The Congress had an alliance with the SP in the last state Assembly elections.

The former Indian prime minister opted for the hand symbol after a split in the Congress in 1978. Apart from losing the support of 76 out of the party's 153 members in the Lok Sabha, her new political outfit the Congress (I) -- also had to give up the symbol of a cow and a calf.


Gandhi was reportedly relieved to be rid of the old symbol, says political journalist Rasheed Kidwai's book 'Ballot -- Ten Episodes That Have Shaped India's Democracy'.

The former Indian prime minister opted for the hand symbol after a split in the Congress in 1978. Apart from losing the support of 76 out of the party's 153 members in the Lok Sabha, her new political outfit the Congress (I) -- also had to give up the symbol of a cow and a calf.


Gandhi was reportedly relieved to be rid of the old symbol, says political journalist Rasheed Kidwai's book 'Ballot -- Ten Episodes That Have Shaped India's Democracy'.