New Delhi: CPI (Communist Party of India) and nine State-level parties have been issued notices by the Election Commission asking them to explain why their recognition should not be withdrawn in view of their performance in the last Lok Sabha elections.

CPI faces the threat of losing its national status as it has 10 members in the Lok Sabha and as per Election Symbol Reservation and Allotment Order, it should have 11 seats in the Lok Sabha to have a national party position.

The Election Commission, has in a notice, asked CPI to explain by August 31, why its national status should not be withdrawn on the basis of its performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Prominent among the nine parties which may lose their State status include Vaiko-led Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (MDMK), Ramadoss headed Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in Pondicherry and Mamata Bannerjee-led Trinamool Congress in Tripura, EC sources said.

PMK would retain its State party status in Tamil Nadu, it may lose the recognition in Pondicherry. Similarly, Trinamool Congress would keep the status in West Bengal, but not in Tripura.

Other State parties which have been served notices include Kerala Congress, CPI-ML (Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist) in Assam, Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann Group) and Meghalaya Hill State Democratic Party, the sources said.

The State parties have been given time till September 3 to explain their position.