In an interim order on Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI)… ‘Balasahebunchi Shiv Sena’ allotted as party name for Eknath Shinde faction Shiv Sena has also asked to submit a fresh list of three symbols by Tuesday. The name and the symbol ‘bow and arrow’ was also claimed by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Shinde. Election Commission’s previous decision to ban Shiv Sena’s name and symbol The precedent followed – in the earlier cases of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Lok Janshakti Party, the commission had suspended the symbols until a final decision could be taken on the claims of rival factions contesting the elections. was. After years of intertwining, there is much more to political parties than symbolism. In some cases, the symbols may also have some political meaning – as in the case of the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s ‘Lantern’ and the Samajwadi Party’s ‘Bicycle’. The Shiv Sena must have realized that the ‘bow and arrow’ has gone well and needs to appear belligerent and stern. That legacy is now a central element of the dispute between the two factions. Although the Election Commission has frozen it, the legal battle for the symbol and name will continue. Both factions are relying on facts and fiction to support their claims and the Election Commission has a difficult task in determining which side owns the Sena brand. Mr. Shinde is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is in power at the Centre. Who inherits Bal Thackeray’s legacy has a huge impact on the political fortunes of both.
Though there is a legal battle over Shiv Sena’s name and symbol, the legacy will basically be decided through politics. Whichever faction the public sees as the more genuine Shiv Sena, it will win the battle, regardless of who gets to keep the symbol and name. Therefore, both the factions are leaving no stone unturned to show their public support. Dussehra RallyThe most notable event on the Army’s annual calendar, this year had two iterations – one addressed by Mr Thackeray at the traditional site of Shivaji Park, and the other by Mr Shinde six kilometers away. The first election test for the factions will be held on November 3, the date of the Andheri East assembly constituency by-election. The Thackeray faction will face a BJP candidate backed by the Shinde faction. Mr Thackeray seems to have inherited the name of his father and Sena founder, Bal Thackeray, but his style and character may be a bit too modest for the party’s reputation. On the other hand, Mr. Shinde may be lacking in name, but he is up for the street fighting that has made the army. It is unlikely that both factions will survive for long: the symbol may not be enough to decide the winner, but it will be of more than a symbolic value to the faction that is still standing after Slugfest.