Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde described the Election Commission's decision to recognise his faction as the real Shiv Sena as victory of Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. "I thank the Election Commission. Majority counts in democracy," Shinde said, reacting to the poll panel's decision, seen as a major blow to the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

The ECI observed that the undemocratic norms of the original Constitution of Shiv Sena, which was not accepted by the Commission in 1999 have been brought back in a surreptitious manner further making the party akin to a fiefdom. File Pic

Uddhav Thackeray, while addressing the press oon Friday said that his camp will challenge in Supreme Court, the poll panel's decision to recognise Eknath Shinde faction as real Shiv Sena. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Uddhav said, "Eknath Shinde faction has stolen bow and arrow symbol, people will avenge this theft."

Both factions of Shiv Sena- Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray have been fighting for the bow and arrow symbol of the party since Eknath Shinde camp revolted against Thackeray last year.

The constitution of political parties ought to provide for free, fair and transparent elections to the posts of office bearers and a further free and fair procedure for the resolution of internal disputes, the ECI said.

The procedures ought to be difficult to amend and should be amendable only after ensuring larger support of the organisational members for the same, the ECI said. File Pic