Uddhav Thackeray challenged the poll panel’s move on Shiv Sena’s symbol and name.
New Delhi: Uddhav Thackeray today challenged the Election Commission’s freeze on the Shiv Sena’s symbol and name amid a spat between rival factions over the “real” Sena.
The former Maharashtra chief minister on Saturday approached the Delhi High Court against the order freezing the party’s name and symbol without trial, alleging that it was “against the principle of natural justice”.
The Election Commission has asked Team Thackeray and rival Eknath Shinde’s faction to choose new names and symbols for the November 3 by-polls in Mumbai’s Andheri East.
The Sena vs. Sena saga began in June when Eknath Shinde led a BJP-backed revolt against his chief Uddhav Thackeray, leading 48 MLAs to topple his coalition government. Shri Shinde formed a new government with the BJP.
Since then, there has been an argument between the parties over the name of the party. Shinde, who has the support of a majority of party MLAs and MPs, told the Election Commission that he has a strong claim on the party founded by Uddhav Thackeray’s father, Bal Thackeray.
The Election Commission has asked the opponents to submit documentary proof by August 8 to support their claims. The deadline was extended till October 7 at the request of the Thackeray faction. On October 4, Shinde’s team requested the party’s bow and arrow symbol for the Assembly by-election.
Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of the Shiv Sena gave a list of three names and symbols.
Election Commission sources said that ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb Thackeray’ was the first choice, ‘Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’ was the second choice and ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb Prabodhankar Thackeray’ was the third choice.
