Maharashtra: Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray lists 3 priorities for party's alternative symbol

 Maharashtra: Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray lists 3 priorities for party's alternative symbol

Election Commission of India freezes Shiv Sena's 'bow and arrow' election symbol

The Election Commission of India (ECI) passed an order freezing the election symbol - bow and arrow - of Shiv Sena based on a petition filed by a party faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of Shiv Sena. Sunday wrote to the Election Commission listing its three priorities for the alternative election symbol - Trishul (trident), rising sun and Mashal (torch).

“We have already sent a letter to the Election Commission stating our preferences for the symbol. The priorities are trident, torch and rising sun,” said Arvind Sawant, South Mumbai MP and a leader of the Uddhav-led group.

Notably, as per the latest list of free symbols published on the ECI's website in September last year, none of the Uddhav-led army's priority is available at the moment.

Uddhav is scheduled to address party workers and supporters on the issue of freezing the party's election symbol at 6 pm on Sunday.

However, unlike the Uddhav-led faction, the Eknath Shinde-led group has not prepared any list of alternative party symbols. Shinde group leaders said they would claim the bow and arrow symbol.

“ECI's decision is an injustice to us. We still stand by our stand to claim the bow and arrow as it is our right. We are the real Shiv Sena... We are sad that the emblem has been frozen,” said Deepak Kesarkar, minister of state and spokesperson of the Shinde faction.

He alleged that the Uddhav-led faction has confiscated the symbol for not giving its reply to the Election Commission in time.

He did not give his reply in time. In fact, they kept asking for more time. The Election Commission then decided to freeze the symbol and now the faction (Uddhav) is accusing us and criticizing the Election Commission (ECI) and will again approach the ECI and present its stand."