Samata Party delegation meets Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde to seek help in getting back 'flaming torch' symbol from Thackeray faction

The delegation, led by the party president Uday Mandal, met Eknath Shinde at the latter's office in Thane on February 21.

A delegation of Samata Party from Bihar met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Thane and sought his help in getting back its ' mashaal' (flaming torch) election symbol that has been allotted to the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray.

The delegation, led by the party president Uday Mandal, met Mr. Shinde at the latter's office in Thane on Tuesday evening. This information was shared by Mr. Shinde's city-based office through a release.

The meeting comes days after the Election Commission (EC) recognised the Shinde-led faction as the real Shiv Sena, and allotted the 'bow and arrow' symbol to it. It also ruled that the 'flaming torch' symbol it had allotted to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena group last year, will remain with it till the conclusion of the Kasba Peth and Chinchwad Assembly bypolls in Pune district scheduled on February 26.

Shinde camp ‘purchased’ Shiv Sena name and symbol for ₹2,000 crore, claims Sanjay Raut

The delegation told Eknath Shinde that Samata Party was an old political outfit from Bihar and " mashaal" (flaming torch) was its election symbol. However, after the change in power in Maharashtra, the EC allotted it to the Shiv Sena faction led by Mr. Thackeray, the release said.

“The delegation also told Mr. Shinde that they would challenge the EC’s decision in the Supreme Court to get back their symbol,” it added. The delegation sought CM Shinde's help in getting back the Samata Party's election symbol the way his faction got the 'bow and arrow' symbol.