Sena's "Bow And Arrow" Should Go To Eknath Shinde: Union Minister

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis combine will successfully run the Maharashtra government for the remaining term of two-and-a-half years

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction is the "original" Shiv Sena and hoped it will succeed in getting the party's poll symbol- bow and arrow.

The Republican Party of India (A) chief also said the Shinde-Fadnavis combine will successfully run the Maharashtra government for the remaining term of two-and-a-half years. Thereafter, the alliance between Mr Shinde and the BJP will win up to 200 seats in the next assembly elections in his home state.

"As many as 40 out of the 55 Shiv Sena MLAs are with Eknath Shinde, and the Shiv Sena's poll symbol 'bow and arrow' should go to the Shinde faction. I am sure he will lay the claim for the symbol because he has more than two-thirds of MLAs with him," Mr Athawale told reporters.

He said the original Shiv Sena belongs to Mr Shinde as he hails Balasaheb Thackeray as his leader.