In a statement released on Saturday, the Election Commission of India stated that neither of the two Shiv Sena factions, one led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the other by his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray, would be allowed to use the party’s “bow and arrow” symbol in the upcoming byelection for the Andheri East assembly segment in Mumbai.
A temporary order was passed by the election panel stating that neither of the two organizations would be allowed to use the Shiv Sena-exclusive election symbol.
The EC added that both groups would go by names of their choosing, which could be connected to the parent party. Additionally, they will receive a variety of election symbols that they can select from an ECI-notified list of free symbols.
The interim order will last until the matter is resolved and covers the purpose of the upcoming by-election. In the byelection scheduled for November 3, the two Sena factions will square off in their first election.
Thackeray claimed on Friday that Shinde was unable to use the “bow and arrow” symbol because the former party strongman and other MLAs who supported him had “voluntarily” left the organization. The poll panel had requested a response from the Thackeray faction regarding the rival Shinde group’s recent claim to the Sena’s “bow and arrow” election symbol in light of the upcoming by-poll.
FAQ
- Who is the CM of Maharashtra?
Ans. Eknath Shinde
- What is the symbol of Shiv Seva?
Ans. Bow and Arrow
- When did Thackeray claim that Shinde was unable to use a bow and arrow?
Ans. On Friday