Election Commission PM Modi’s Slave: Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: A day after Eknath Shinde’s faction was awarded the Shiv Sena party name along with the bow-and-arrow symbol, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray blasted the Election Commission (EC).

“The Election Commission, PM (Narendra) Modi’s slave, has done something that has never happened before,” Uddhav said, addressing a large crowd outside Matoshree, the Thackerays’ family home.

Standing out of the sunroof of his car, drawing comparisons with his father Bal Thackeray, Uddhav urged his supporters to be patient and prepare for the upcoming elections for Mumbai’s civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

He said the party’s symbol has been “stolen” and the “thief” needs to be taught a lesson, referring to Maharashtra CM Shinde.

Shinde led a revolt against Uddhav last June and brought about the downfall of the coalition government. Backed by BJP, Shinde formed the government to succeed Uddhav.

The EC on Friday issued a 78-page order to resolve the protracted battle for control of the party.

The EC ruled that Shinde was supported by MLAs with 76% of the party’s winning votes in the 2019 Maharashtra assembly polls.

The Uddhav faction was allowed to keep the name ‘Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’ with flaming torch being its symbol.