Mumbai: Three most important days in Shiv Sena story

As the suspense over the ownership of the Shiv Sena's election symbol has deepened with the declaration of the Andheri East Assembly bypoll, the Uddhav Thackeray faction has been asked to furnish the documents supporting its claim over ‘bow and arrow' to the Election Commission (EC) by October 7, the day the nominations start. Meanwhile, the Kolis from Worli said that they would attend Thackeray's Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, days after the Shinde camp claimed it had their support.

The last day for nominations is October 14, while voting will be done on November 3, followed by results on November 6. The rival Shinde group has already submitted its claim documents. The Thackeray group will be countering the rival's argument. Considering similar cases in the past that came up for hearing just ahead of polls, the EC is expected to freeze the symbol, asking respective contestants to pick a new one.

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Mostly, the number of elected representatives and office-bearers from both claimants is considered while stamping either of them as an official party. As claimed by the Shinde Sena, the Thackeray group has fewer MLAs and MPs. The matter was taken to the Supreme Court which is hearing the petitions that were filed after the party was split. It was demanded that the EC be asked to stall the hearing because the matters before it and the SC were interlinked. The apex court did not buy the argument and asked the EC to proceed. The EC announced the bypolls programme for Maharashtra and other states on Monday. It is said that the October 7 deadline was given much before the by-elections were scheduled.

However, the people in the Sena expect a status quo if there is no hearing or it is kept pending, claiming that the symbol will continue to remain with them. A candidate whose nomination papers are supported by the ‘AB Form' of the respective party is allowed to contest for the party's registered symbol. The Shinde group didn't think so, and accused the Sena of deliberately delaying the submission of documents. It expected a decision that could affect the Thackeray group's prospects and assured to appeal against adverse directives, if any.

As far as contesting the bypoll, the BJP is very clear because it has unofficially announced its candidate in former corporator Murji Patel, who has opened his campaign office. CM Shinde has not offered any firm statement on his decision to forgo the Andheri seat, with a promise that he would speak at an appropriate time. The Sena has decided to field former MLA Ramesh Latke's widow Rutuja. The MVA partners have pledged their support to the Sena.