Mumbai: Shiv Sena factions get new names; Uddhav Thackeray faction gets 'flaming torch' poll symbol

The flame at Balasaheb Thackeray memorial, Shivaji Park, on Monday. Pic/Ashish Raje

The Election Commission on Monday named the Thackeray faction the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and allotted it an official election symbol - mashaal (flaming torch). The rival group led by CM Eknath Shinde will be known as Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (Balasaheb's Shiv Sena), but it has been asked to submit three fresh preferences for the symbol by 10 am on Tuesday.

The EC rejected Thackeray and Shinde's first preference ‘trishul' (trident) and Shinde's third preference ‘gada' (mace) because they have religious connotations. Their second preference ‘rising sun' was rejected because it is reserved for DMK. Thackeray's third preference - ‘flaming torch' - was with the Samata Party which was derecognised in 2004.

Anil Parab

The new symbols and names were needed for filing nominations in the Andheri (East) Assembly bypoll. The nominations opened on October 7 and will close on October 14. The polling will be held on November 3.

Also Read: Mumbai: Congress and NCP to support nominee of Uddhav Thackeray's camp for Andheri bypoll

The EC passed an interim order on Saturday following Shinde faction's prayer for preventing the misuse of the party's disputed official symbol ‘bow and arrow'. The Thackeray group challenged the demand, saying that the immediate decision was not required because Shinde was not putting up his candidate in the bypoll, but intervened just to grant benefit to its ally, the BJP, which will be contesting the bypoll.

The Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde camps said they were satisfied with the new names. Pics/Satej Shinde

Team Thackeray had submitted three preferences for the symbol, two of which were also demanded by the rival Shinde Sena. The similarities didn't stop at the symbol options because both factions had asked for approval of a new name having linkage with the parent party and the late founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Uddhav Thackeray gave three new names - Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray), Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Parbodhankar Thackeray) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Shinde's options were similar to Thackeray's - the first preference was exactly the same as that of the rival's. The CM had chosen Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray), Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena Balasahebanchi (the last two meaning Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena).

Uddhav releases new logo

Shiv Sena (Uddhav) released its logo immediately after the EC's announcement. Both factions were satisfied with the new names. The Thackeray Sena said its new symbol denoted a new light that will pierce through darkness. The rival group said the name justified its existence as a real Shiv Sena that believed in Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology.

Thackeray's associate and former minister Anil Parab said, "We will contest on the new symbol and win. The fire created by the votes cast for us will burn down our opponents." He also asked whether the rival group was linked with Balasaheb Deoras (ex-RSS chief) or Balasaheb Deodhar. "We always say Balasaheb Thackeray, because there are others who bear the same [first] name."

Parab declared that the party candidate, Rutuja Latke, the widow of deceased MLA Ramesh Latke, will file her nomination on October 13 in the presence of Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents, the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.

Shinde Sena spokesperson Naresh Mhaske said the new name resonated perfectly with their position that they were true followers of the party's founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Appeal in Delhi HC

Earlier on Monday, team Thackeray petitioned the Delhi HC saying that the decision of freezing party name and symbol was taken in haste and without hearing. The Shinde group filed a caveat urging the HC to not decide without hearing its side. Both factions have moved the EC to establish their respective credentials as the real Sena.

The case pertaining to this is in the process and both parties are still filing documents to support their respective claims over the parent party.