NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to acknowledge the claim of the TTV Dhinakaran-led outfit over ‘pressure cooker’ as common election symbol.

The apex court, however, directed the Election Commission to consider granting common free election symbol to the candidates of the Dhinakaran faction for the upcoming general and assembly by-elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi also made clear that its order asking the EC to consider granting common election symbol would not amount to granting recognition to the AIADMK faction as a political group and the candidates of the faction would be treated as Independents for all practical purposes.

The Bench, which also comprised Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said that it was the duty and the rights of the Election Commission only to consider granting registration to the Dhinakaran faction as a political party and it will be done in due course by the poll panel.

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), the breakaway group from ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by Mr. Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala.

The AMMK has not been registered as a political party with the Election Commission yet. Citing the same, the EC told the top court on Monday it cannot allot a symbol meant for independent candidates as a common symbol across the state.