In reply to the Election Commision of India’s letter, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray today said the faction led by Eknath Shinde cannot claim the bow-an-arrow symbol as he and other MLAs in his camp had “voluntarily quit the party”.
The Election Commission on Friday wrote to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray seeking his response by tomorrow over the claim by rival Eknath Shinde faction on the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ symbol in view of the upcoming assembly by-poll in Maharashtra.
In its letter to Uddhav Thackeray, EC said the Commission had on September 29 requested Thackeray to furnish written submissions along with the respective documents to support his claim by 7 October 2022. “It may be recalled that the above timeline was given in the context of the exchange of documents supporting rival claims to be the real Shiv Sena from your side and that from Shinde for determination under Para 15 of the Symbols Order,” said the Commission.
EC informed that Shinde has furnished an application on October 4 under Paragraph 18 of Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 to allot the symbol of the party “Bow and Arrow” to the group led by Shinde in view of the ongoing bye-election from 166-Andheri East Assembly Constituency.
“Though your reply is yet to be received, considering the fact that bye-election has been notified from 166-Andheri East Assembly Constituency, it is directed that you may furnish your comments along with requisite documents as requested by the Commission’s letter dated 29 September, now, latest by 2:00 pm of 8 October 2022. In case no reply is received, the Commission will take appropriate action in the matter accordingly,” the Commission told Thackeray.
Eknath Shinde took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on June 30 earlier this year. This came after a faction of Shiv Sena under Shinde shifted the alliance to Bharatiya Janata Party BJP from MVA. Since then, Maharashtra has been witnessing a tussle between both the factions of Sena as to who is the real inheritor of the legacy of Bal Thackeray.
Amid symbol war between the two rival factions of Shiv Sena, the Shinde camp MP Rahul Shewale on Friday exuded confidence in getting the rights over the “Bow and Arrow” symbol of the party.
This comes ahead of the Election Commission’s decision over the claim by the two factions on the symbol of legendary leader late Bal Thackeray’s party.
Speaking to ANI, Shewale said, “We are confident that we will get the Bow and Arrow symbol and there is no need to look for an alternative. We have already submitted our side documents related to our support to ECI.”
He further said the Thackeray faction kept delaying and asking for further dates to reply to the Election Commission.
Asked whether EC will give its order ahead of the bye-election in the state (Andheri East Constituency), Shewale said, “Yes, we are confident and it is not only about the by-poll but we will get the symbol.”
