Can the real Shiv Sena please stand up? Battle over Sena party symbol is on the cards

With the high-decibel political drama in Maharashtra is coming to an end, the next round of fighting will be for the Shiv Sena's party symbol, as Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray claim their respective factions is the real Shiv Sena.

The high-decibel political drama in Maharashtra is coming to an end, with Eknath Shinde taking oath as the new chief minister of the state on Thursday evening. While it is clear who is in power in Maharashtra, the question remains: Who is the real Shiv Sena?

Both Eknath Shinde and former CM Uddhav Thackeray have called their respective factions the real Shiv Sena. Both are asserting that they will carry forward the legacy of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

READ | Uddhav, Raj and now Eknath Shinde - who will win the battle for Balasaheb’s legacy?

While political wrinkles in Maharashtra have been ironed out, the battle will now shift to the Election Commission. The next round of fighting will be for the Shiv Sena's bow and arrow party symbol and it will be the Election Commission that will determine who gets the symbol.

Reports are suggesting that Eknath Shinde's camp is preparing to claim the party's election symbol. The Uddhav Thackeray faction, however, will obviously not give up without a fight. For either camp it will be an uphill task.

The 'real Shiv Sena' will have to have majority support from all office-bearers in the party, state legislators, and Members of Parliament. Just having a large number of MLAs on one's side is not enough for it to be recognized as the party.

READ | Maharashtra crisis: Shinde-led rebel camp seeks recognition for new party called Shiv Sena (Balasaheb)