Eknath Shinde’s rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray has split the Shiv Sena.
Maharashtra: In the middle of the Shiv Sena symbol controversy, Eknath Shinde’s side of the party has presented three options to the Election Commission for the party’s new emblem (EC). This comes only a day after the EC finalized the names for the two groups.
Eknath Shinde’s camp, like the Uddhav Thackeray Sena side, presented three emblems to the election authority today. The EC will choose between the Sun, a sword and shield, and a pipal tree as the new Team Shinde insignia.
The Election Commission directed this step after freezing the Shiv Sena’s ‘bow and arrow’ emblem following a schism in the party caused by a mutiny against the former Uddhav Thackeray government.
The Election Commission decided on the emblem that would symbolize the Shiv Sena group led by Uddhav Thackeray yesterday. A Mashaal will be Team Thackeray’s new sign (burning torch). A Trishul and the rising Sun were the other two alternatives.
The Uddhav Thackeray side was pushing for the Trishul (trident) sign. Still, according to the norms, the Election Commission rejected it since a political party symbol cannot have any religious links.
The allocation of new Shiv Sena symbols for both divisions implies that both factions will be able to fight Maharashtra by-elections with their party emblems. Maharashtra by-elections are scheduled for later this year.
The feud between Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray widened when the former launched a revolt against Thackeray and allied with the BJP to create a new administration in the state, thereby destroying the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition.
