The Election Commission has recognised the two opposing Shiv Sena factions as independent political parties for the upcoming Andheri (east) assembly by-elections till their symbol conflict is settled.
While the party led by ex CM Uddhav Thackeray was recognised as ‘Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)’ and allotted the ‘mashaal’ (flaming torch) poll symbol, while the Eknath Shinde group was identified as ‘Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena’ but will allot a poll symbol after the EC rejected all three of its suggestions.
Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar opposed allotment of any poll symbol that has a religious connotation not only in the present case but also as a standard practice - The EC rejected the "trishul," which was proposed as the first choice by both the Uddhav and Shinde factions, as well as the "gada" (mace), which was the third preference of the Shinde group.
The election commission, sent separate letters to Thackeray and Shinde, stated that they rejected ‘trishul’ as poll symbol because it was the first choice of both factions and was found to be in violation of Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 that says “symbols proposed by parties shall have no religious or communal connotation or depict any bird or animal.”
The choice of ‘rising sun’ the second preference of both the groups was also turned down as it is already the ‘reserved’ symbol allotted to DMK. The Symbols Order restricts allotment of symbols reserved for state parties to others in states where they are not recognised. None of the emblems proposed by either of the two factions figure in the EC list of ‘free’ symbols.
The committee did, however, agree to designate "mashaal," a former Samata Party emblem that was derecognised in 2004, as a "free" symbol and grant it to the Thackeray group.
