A number of regional parties, including from two Telugu states are fearing to face legal problems with the recent verdict of the Supreme Court. It may be recalled that the apex court gave an important verdict stating no party will appeal for vote on the basis of caste, religion, race, or language. This has been termed as a corrupt practice to appeal for votes.

Though the exact consequences of this verdict are not clear, leaders of many parties are worried after this decision. They are waiting for the detailed analysis of the verdict, so that they can understand the impact it will have. Even the Election Commission of India need to formulate guidelines on the basis of this verdict.

Though no national party has any religion, caste, creed, or region in its name, experts viewing that many regional parties can face problems. For example, the name of Asaduddin Owaisi’s party is All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). It bears the word ‘Muslim’. Any party can challenge this in court. This must be noted that Owaisi’s party is gearing up to fight the BMC elections and the UP Assembly Elections.

Some political observers fearing that the ruling party of Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), can also be landed in problems as ‘Telugu’ is a word for a language as well as a region. Its opponents might raise questions over it.

The Dravidian parties’ names in Tamil Nadu also likely to be locked in problems for having ‘objectionable’ words, as do parties from Jharkhand. Leaders of the Muslim League in Kerala would also be worried.

BJP’s long standing alliance partner Shiv Sena in Maharasthra is also likely to face music from this court verdict. Though the word ‘Shiv’ was taken from great warrior and Hindu king ‘Shivaji’, but this is also the name of a Hindu God. That would provide ammunition for the political rivals to challenge the same in a court.