Maharashtra: Eknath Shinde faction gets 'two swords and a shield' as poll symbol

The symbol given to the Shinde-led Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena

The Eknath Shinde Sena has been allotted the ‘dhal talwar' (two swords and shield) as its election symbol. The group received the approval for a new name - Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena - on Monday, but was asked to submit three fresh preferences for ‘temporary' symbols. One of them was given on Tuesday, ahead of the Andheri East Assembly bypoll, even as the factions are fighting for the parent party's ownership and its symbol - the ‘bow and arrow'. The other group got its new name Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the ‘flaming torch' (mashaal) symbol on Monday.

The Thackeray group has gone hammer and tongs, circulating the name and symbol across the state, and in Andheri (East) segment in particular where the bypoll is scheduled to be held on November 3. Thackeray's candidate Rutuja Latke will file her nomination on October 13, a day before the process closes. The BJP is prepared to contest the polls and the Shinde Sena said it was also mulling fielding its candidate but there was no confirmation. Most likely the BJP's Murji Patel will be the contestant from the ruling parties.

CM Eknath Shinde, Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis at Babulnath Temple on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

In its notification on Tuesday, the Election Commission said the "Dhal Talwar" suggested by the Shinde faction was not on the list of free symbols, but resembled an erstwhile reserved symbol ‘Do Talwarein aur Ek Dhal (Two Swords & Shield)' of ‘People's Democratic Movement' which was derecognized as a state party in 2004. "On receipt of your request dated 11.10.2022, the Commission has decided to declare ‘Do Talwarein aur Ek Dhal [Two Swords & Shield]' to be a free symbol and allots it... till the final order is passed in the Dispute," it said the notification.

Also Read: Maharashtra: Mashaal is symbolic of a revolution, says former Shiv Sena MLA Krishna Hegde

Balasahebanchi Sena spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar said the new symbol had historic significance and denoted the times and achievements of revered Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "It is a good omen. We invoke Shivaji Maharaj in our all public rallies and speeches. The fight is not between the symbols of mashaal and dhal talwar, but between Balasaheb's ideology and Uddhav Thackeray's ideology that rests on the shoulders of the Congress and NCP." In the end, Pawaskar said, his faction will be recognised as the parent party and given ‘bow and arrow'. "This new symbol is temporary."

The BJP accused Thackeray of giving up the ideology of Hindutva and accepting the ideals of the Congress and NCP for the post of CM. "People have seen that his Hindutva ideology is fake. Even if he has taken mashaal [torch] as his symbol, the mashaal is being held by the panja [hand, the election symbol of the Congress]. This mashaal will never get lit," said state BJP president, Chandrashekhar Bawankule. He said the BJP's alliance was with CM Eknath Shinde-led Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena and it will contest and win all upcoming polls.