As per sources, Uddhav Thackeray, former chief minister of Maharashtra, will approach against the Election Commission’s recognition of the Eknath Shinde camp as the real Shiv Sena before the Supreme Court on Monday.
The poll panel yesterday denied Eknath Shinde’s claim to the party name and bow-and-arrow symbol, which was a big defeat for Uddhav Thackeray.
After losing control of the party that his father, Balasaheb Thackeray, founded, the former chief minister announced yesterday that he would appeal the EC order to the Supreme Court, labeling it a “murder of democracy” and a “theft.”
He called his rival, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a “traitor who won’t change”. “They have stolen the Shiv Sena symbol. We will keep fighting and won’t lose hope. For now, let Shinde be happy with his theft. Once a traitor, always a traitor,” Mr Thackeray said.
At his home “Matoshree,” Mr. Thackeray has called a meeting of his party’s officials and supporters for today.
The decision by the Election Commission was made close to eight months after Mr. Thackeray’s alliance government with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party was overthrown by Mr. Shinde, the current Chief Minister, and a revolt led by more than 40 Sena MLAs.
The Election Commission said in a 78-page order on the protracted battle for control of the Shiv Sena that Mr. Shinde was supported by MLAs with 76% of the party’s winning votes in the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections.
The poll panel ruled that the Uddhav Thackeray group could retain the name “Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray” and the “flaming torch” symbol given to them in the last election.
The factions led by Mr. Thackeray and Mr. Shinde submitted formal arguments to the election commission last month in support of their claims about the name and symbol of the party.
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on Team Thackeray’s appeal to exclude 16 Sena MLAs who were among those who rose up against him last year.
“I had requested the Election Commission to wait as the hearing is going on in the Supreme Court. It is very unfortunate. In future, anyone can buy MLAs or MPs and become chief minister or Prime Minister,” Mr Thackeray said.
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