The Uddhav Thackeray faction’s party name has been assigned by the EC as “Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.” Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde faction is now known as the “Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.”
Uddhav Thackeray-led faction gets a new symbol
The Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray was given a new election symbol by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday, October 10, 2022. This symbol will be used in the current bye-election and until a decision is made in the ongoing dispute between the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction’s party name has been assigned by the EC as “Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.”
A leader from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction claimed the new party name and symbol, which were given to them by the Election Commission, was a significant victory for his group. “We are delighted in light of this significant victory. We are pleased that the new name retains the three names that are most important to us: Uddhav Ji, Balasaheb, and Thackeray “Bhaskar Jadhav said this when the new name was chosen. “Bhaskar further added,” This mashall is an indication of revolution. It will light up each and every residence. By stealing names and emblems, the Shinde group is operating a chor market.
Permit them to offer their fresh emblems”. Although we were emotionally linked to the bow and arrow. But now we’ll fight using this Mashaal, which will motivate everyone. “People will give them a lesson in the outcomes of the Andheri (East) by-elections.”
Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena MP who is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, stated on Monday, October 10 that the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction’s new election symbol might bring a “great revolution” in the near future.
The party’s symbol has been frozen three times over its lengthy political history. Even Congress has experienced a similar situation. A similar problem was faced by the Janata Dal, Raut said.
The Eknath Shinde group has also been instructed by the Election Commission to submit a list of three new emblems by October 11.
The poll body declined to allot ‘Trishul’, ‘Rising Sun’, and ‘Gada’ as symbols as these are religious symbols which are not allowed according to ECI, and they are not in the list of free symbols which are available to use. According to reports, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has taken a strong stance against political parties using emblems having religious connotations.
Due to the power struggle between the factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, the Election Commission banned both rival camps from using the Shiv Sena “bow and arrow” symbol on Saturday, October 8.
Both factions had provided the committee with the names of their organizations so that they might be recognized. Additionally, both groups were given a choice of the potential symbols that would be allotted to the bye-election candidates.
In a letter sent to the Commission on Thursday, October 6, Mr. Shinde demanded that the faction led by Mr. Thackeray should not be permitted to use the symbol in the bye-elections.
In the Delhi High Court, Uddhav Thackeray challenged the freeze, arguing that the EC’s decision was “against principles of natural justice” because it was made without hearing their side of the story.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s reaction
The Shinde camp claimed that the EC’s decision was a clear acknowledgment of their allegations.” Mr. Shinde tweeted “The Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray’s fierce Hindutva ideas have finally prevailed. Mr. Balasaheb left his ideas behind for us to carry on..
Devendra Fadnavis, a BJP politician and deputy chief minister, attacked Mr. Thackeray and his faction, claiming that their “whining” was “totally political”. Also added, that it had become common practice for them to criticise institutions anytime they did not receive a favourable response from them.
“The original Sena bow and arrow symbol is still up for debate by the EC. It has been observed that anytime the Thackeray faction has a poor argument, it starts targeting institutions. For organisations like the Congress and the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, this is the norm. For instance, if the Supreme Court rules in their favour, then it is a fine institution, according to Mr. Fadnavis.
Fall of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government
In June, Mr. Shinde led 48 MLAs in a BJP-backed coup against then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, toppling his coalition government with the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) and INC (Indian National Congress), which led to the beginning of the Sena versus Sena story.
Later, Eknath Shinde and the BJP put together a new government. The current conflict centres on the party’s name, electoral symbol, and legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray, the organization’s founder and Uddhav Thackeray’s father.
Read more about it at: EC grants new names to both Sena factions
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