Will challenge EC's decision to recognise Eknath Shinde faction as real Shiv Sena in SC: Uddhav Thackeray
In today's statement, Election Commission said that Team Eknath Shinde could keep the name 'Shiv Sena' and the 'bow and arrow' symbol, while the Uddhav Thackeray faction can keep the name 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray' and the 'flaming torch' symbol.
FollowFormer Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray called the election commission's decision to grant the bow and arrow symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction a 'murder of democracy' and said he would approach the Supreme Court. If the number of MLAs and MPs determines the existence of a party, then any capitalist can buy them and become chief minister, said Uddhav Thackeray.
In today's statement, Election Commission said that Team Eknath Shinde could keep the name 'Shiv Sena' and the 'bow and arrow' symbol, while the Uddhav Thackeray faction can keep the name 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray' and the 'flaming torch' symbol.
While addressing the media at his Mumbai residence Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray claimed that India no longer has democracy and that PM Modi should declare that dictatorship has begun in the country. "The decision is dangerous for democracy," said the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
"We have a real bow and arrow with us. They (Shinde faction) only have these on paper," said Uddhav Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
The decision by the Election Commission comes nearly eight months after Shinde, the current Chief Minister, revolted with over 40 Sena MLAs and wrested control of the party from Thackeray's alliance government with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.
"They (the Eknath Shinde faction) stole our bow and arrow symbol, but the people will avenge the theft, said Thackeray. According to him, the EC decision indicates that the Mumbai municipal corporation elections will be held soon.
"They should first understand Balasaheb. They now know that Modi's name does not work in Maharashtra. So now they've put Balasaheb's mask on their faces for their own benefit," claimed Uddhav.
Since Shinde's rebellion in 2022, which ousted Thackeray from the CM's position, the Uddhav and Shinde factions have been at odds over the party's bow-arrow symbol. After months of pursuing the matter with the election commission and the court, the judgment was in the EC's court, which ruled in favour of Shinde.
The Supreme Court is yet to give its judgement on Team Thackeray's plea to disqualify 16 Sena MLAs who revolted against him last year; however, the Election Commission's order on the party name and symbol has arrived first, which is 'unfair,' according to Thackeray.
"I asked the Election Commission to wait because the Supreme Court hearing is still ongoing. It is extremely unfortunate. Anyone in the future will be able to buy MLAs or MPs and become Chief Minister or Prime Minister," asserted Thackeray.
Sena (UBT) MLA Sanjay Raut said the ruling was not surprising as the EC had lost all credibility. "We don't need to worry. The public is on our side. We will use a new symbol and raise this Shiv Sena again in the public court."
After EC's decision, Eknath Shinde put up Shiv Sena's bow and arrow photo as his Twitter profile. "It is the victory of Balasaheb and Anand Dighe's ideologies, our workers, MPs, MLAs, public representatives, and lakhs of Shiv Sainiks. It is a democratic victory," said Shinde.
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