EC Grants New Names to Uddhav & Shinde Factions; Rejects Poll Symbols Proposed by Shinde Camp

GG News Bureau

Mumbai, 11^th Oct. The Election Commission assigned names to the two Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday, while asking the Shinde camp to submit new poll symbol options by Tuesday.

In a decision on the Shiv Sena dispute, the Election Commission assigned “ShivSena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray” as the party name for the Thackeray faction and “Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena” (Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena) as the party name for the Shinde faction.

One of the three symbols submitted by the Thackeray faction of the Sena was the “flaming torch” (mashaal). The commission rejected the election symbols “Trishul” (trident), sought by both Thackeray and Shinde, and “Gada” (mace), chosen by Shinde, citing their religious connotation. The “Rising Sun” election symbol sought by both factions was reserved for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, according to the statement.

With all three of the Shinde faction’s proposed symbols being rejected, the poll panel has asked the group to submit three new suggestions by Tuesday.

The Election Commission stated in its orders to both factions on Monday that the name “Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray) cannot be allotted” because it was the first choice of both groups. The commission approved the second choices for both outfits’ names.

The order came just hours after former Maharashtra chief minister Thackeray challenged the EC’s order freezing the Shiv Sena name and “bow and arrow” symbol ahead of the November 3 Andheri East bypoll.

Thackeray claimed in his petition that the EC’s October 8 interim order was issued in complete disregard of natural justice principles and without providing the parties with a hearing or an opportunity to present evidence.

“It has been the established past practice of Respondent No 1 (ECI), which is a quasi-judicial body, that any order freezing the election symbol during pendency of a petition is passed only after hearing the factions/parties before it,” the petition said.

During the stalemate between the two factions over majority support in the Sena’s legislative and organizational wings, the commission asked them to propose three different names and three free symbols for allocation to their respective groups by Monday.

While Shinde has the support of 39 MLAs and 12 of the party’s 19 Lok Sabha MPs, Thackeray has the support of all 12 MLCs and three Rajya Sabha MPs.

The interim order issued by the EC on Saturday followed a request by the Shinde faction for the use of the “bow and arrow” symbol in view of the Andheri East assembly bypoll.

On Monday, the commission also expressed strong opposition to the use of religious symbols.

Both outfits’ first choice for the party symbol was “trishul” (trident).

Rejecting the option, the EC said, “‘Trishul’ symbol is denied as it has religious connotations and found to be in violation of 4th Syb Para of Para 10(B)(A)(iv) of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.”

The “Rising Sun” election symbol sought by both factions was also reserved for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The EC order granting the Thackeray faction the flaming torch symbol stated: “The symbol is not in the list of free symbols. It was an erstwhile reserved symbol of ‘Samata Party’ which was derecognised as a state party in 2004… the commission has decided to declare the ‘Flaming Torch’ to be a free symbol and allots it as the symbol to be allotted to the candidate, if any, set up by your group in the current by-elections.”

The Shiv Sena reacted quickly to the EC’s decision.

We will take the name and new symbol of the party to the people. I am sure we will win the coming elections,” former minister and Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray said.

“Mashal (flaming torch) is not a new symbol for us. We have also used it in the past,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Shinde faction has been asked to submit a list of new symbol options by Tuesday. The EC rejected its “Gada” (mace) symbol option because it “has religious connotations” and “is not on the list of free symbols.”

We have always taken the stand that this is the party of Balasaheb. I am happy to get this name. We thank the ECI,” CM Shinde said. He said, “We have the majority in the legislative as well as the organisational wing. As such, the bow and arrow symbol should be given to us. The ECI should consider the merit in our demand.”

The EC has allowed the factions to use the new symbols in the upcoming Andheri East bypoll until the dispute is resolved.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Election Commission to rule on Shinde’s petition claiming ownership of the “real” Shiv Sena and the party symbol on September 27, dismissing a petition by the Thackeray camp to restrain the poll body.

The allocation of new symbols and party names is likely to give a body blow to the Shiv Sena in the Andheri East bypoll, as well as in local body elections, such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, which are due later this year or early in 2023. These elections will be a litmus test for both the Shiv Sena and the Shinde-BJP coalition.

While the Shiv Sena has not officially split, the faction led by Shinde claims to be the “real” Shiv Sena. Thackeray resigned as Maharashtra Chief Minister on June 29 as a result of the Shinde camp’s rebellion. Shinde took over the post the next day and proved majority on the House floor with the BJP’s support.