The Election Commission declared on October 8 that the two Shiv Sena factions, led by Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray, would not be permitted to use the party name and emblem for the ongoing Andheri East by-poll until the EC issues a definitive ruling regarding their disagreement.
The EC issued a temporary directive stating that both organizations would adopt new names of their choosing and receive alternative symbols from the list of free symbols made available by the EC for the present by-polls. The alternate names and symbols were to be submitted by the two parties to the EC by 1:00 PM on October 10.
The two parties have been staking claims to represent the genuine Shiv Sena since June and claiming exclusive usage of the name and the bow and arrow symbol. In its order, the EC noted the urgency of the situation given that by-elections, particularly in the Maharashtra Assembly constituency of Andheri East, had been declared this week. Beginning on October 7 and lasting through October 14, nominations are being accepted for the November 3 by-elections.
According to the EC order, Mr. Shinde claimed the backing of 12 out of 18 MPs, 40 out of 55 MLAs, and a number of MLCs. On October 7, Mr. Thackeray’s attorney requested a four-week delay before the commencement of the formal hearings in the case so that he could thoroughly review the paperwork submitted by the Shinde group.
The EC concurred that a precise timeline was necessary following the submission of papers and listing of the hearing date. However, it warned that extending the deadline would affect how smoothly the announced by-elections were conducted because both parties had asserted their right to use the Shiv Sena name and symbol.
News Mania Desk
