ECI Assigns ‘School Bag’ Symbol to Jan Suraaj, ‘Boat’ to VIP

As the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections near, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued formal poll symbols to several political parties, such as the Jan Suraaj Party, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and several others — marking the escalation of pre-election activities in the state.

In a significant development, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has been allotted the 'School Bag' as its election symbol. It will be seen on the ballot papers of all 243 of its candidates in the elections to be held soon.

Welcoming the decision, the party stressed that the symbol is ideal for its core mission. "Education is the first of our five core resolutions for Bihar's development. The 'School Bag' symbol is an expression of our commitment to ensuring quality education for all children in the state," a Jan Suraaj spokesperson said.

In the meantime, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has managed to regain its original and widely identified 'Boat' symbol. When its 2024 Lok Sabha election was forced to contest on the 'Ladies Purse' symbol, fears had been raised among its staunch voter group.

Confirming the news, VIP national spokesperson Dev Jyoti asserted: "The Election Commission has made the notification regarding the restoration of the 'Boat' symbol to VIP. It is a triumph for democratic values and the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Constitution. The 'Boat' symbol is emotionally and historically attached with our party and workers."

VIP has traditionally fought elections under the boat symbol, as in the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, when it won four seats.

The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) of Upendra Kushwaha has been given the 'LPG Cylinder' symbol for the forthcoming elections.

A number of smaller parties have also been given distinctive symbols by the ECI. They are:

Bharatiya Sarthak Party – Scissors
Lohia Janata Dal – Bucket
Jan Salamati Party – Ladies Purse
Bharatiya Janata Samaj Sevak Party – Flute
Rashtriya Samajwadi Log Adhikar Party – Ring

With election symbols now finalized, Bihar's political parties are speeding up preparations, finalizing contestants, and scripting campaign tales in what will be a hotly contested poll season.