Give Us Sena Symbol, Eknath Shinde Tells Election Body, Points To By-Polls
NDTV
Eknath Shinde said the symbol is necessary for the upcoming by-election and he has concern that the Uddhav Thackeray faction "will illegally and unlawfully make an attempt to field a candidate and claim the allotted symbol of SSPP".
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has written to the Election Commission, asking it to urgently allot the Shiv Sena's bow and arrow symbol to his faction in view of the coming by-election in Andheri East. The BJP will contest the seat on behalf of the ruling alliance. But Mr Shinde has pointed out that the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Sena might use the symbol in absence of any decision by the poll body.
In his petition, Mr Shinde said the symbol is necessary for the upcoming by-election and he has concern that the Thackeray faction "will illegally and unlawfully make an attempt to field a candidate and claim the allotted symbol of SSPP".
Under the circumstances, he asked that the Commission "urgently hear, dispose and allow the petition... and allot the symbol of Shiv Sena party of 'Bow and Arrow' to the group led by Petitioner, at the earliest".
Mr Shinde, who claims to be the real Sena, has claimed the legacy of party founder Bal Thackeray along with the bow and arrow symbol.
