Election Commission accepts Eknath Shinde faction as real Shiv Sena, gets 'arrow and command' election symbol

The Election Commission of India has recognized Eknath Shinde's team as the real Shiv Sena. On Friday, the Commission has also given Shiv Sena's 'bow and arrow' election symbol to the Shinde faction. After this decision, Uddhav Thackeray's team has suffered a setback. Uddhav Thackeray has lost both his party's name and identity (election symbol). The Election Commission found that the constitution of the Uddhav faction's party is undemocratic. In this, people were appointed without any election. The commission also found that undemocratic practices were secretly brought back in the Shiv Sena's original constitution, reducing the party to a private fiefdom. These methods were rejected by the Election Commission in 1999. With this, now the claim of Uddhav faction from Shiv Sena in Maharashtra is considered to be over.

In a 78-page order, the Election Commission said that Eknath Shinde, who became chief minister after the rebellion, had the support of 76 per cent of the party's winning votes in the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections. Along with this, the commission allowed the Uddhav Thackeray faction to keep the 'torch' election symbol allotted last year. Expressing happiness over the Election Commission's decision, Eknath Shinde said, "I thank the Election Commission. Majority matters in a democracy. This is the victory of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy. Ours is the real Shiv Sena."

The Election Commission had given separate symbols to both the factions in view of the Andheri East by-election. Uddhav faction got approval for torch election symbol. The name of this group is now Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray. At the same time, the Eknath Shinde faction was given the symbol 'two swords and a shield'.SC defers decision in Shiv Sena vs Shinde case till February 21 At the same time, the Supreme Court has postponed the decision on Shiv Sena vs Shinde faction dispute in Maharashtra till 21 February. "Whether the principles of Nabam Rebia are applicable in this case and whether the matter should be referred to a 7-judge bench can be decided on the merits of the present case," the bench said. Will hear it on Tuesday.