Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena Gets New Identity; Check Details

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Mumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena will henceforth be recognized as Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), while Eknath Shinde’s group will be called ‘Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena’.

Disallowing any symbol with religious overtones in its order to resolve the Shiv Sena dispute, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday said Uddhav-led faction can use flaming torch (‘mashaal’) as its symbol.

The Shinde group, however, has been asked to submit three options by 10 am on Tuesday.

Thackeray’s faction had suggested three symbols — a ‘trident’, ‘burning torch’, and ‘rising Sun’ — while the rival camp submitted ‘rising Sun’, ‘trident’ and ‘mace’ to the ECI.

The Thackeray group considered ECI’s ruling to be a major victory for them.

“This a major victory. We are happy that the three names that matter to us most – Uddhav ji, Balasaheb and Thackeray — are retained in the new name,” former Maharashtra minister Bhaskar Jadhav said.

Shinde’s revolt brought down the Sena-led MVA coalition government in Maharashtra in June. Shinde and the other Sena rebels joined hands with BJP to form the government, with Shinde as CM and former CM Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.