Shinde, Uddhav factions of Shiv Sena prepared to fight byelection with new symbols, names

The poll panel’s decision was not a surprise, say loyalists; both camps line up their pick for party symbols

Anticipating the freeze of the Shiv Sena party symbol of bow and arrow by the Election Commission of India, both factions of the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are ready with alternative names with which to contest the Andheri (East) byelection.

While Uddhav Thackeray group is keen on getting the Mace ( gada), they have also selected Lion Face and Elephant Face as options; the Shinde camp has selected the Sword.

The ECI on Saturday gave interim orders that neither party will be able to use the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol until further notice and particularly for the purposes of the forthcoming byelections. They would instead use new names, and new symbols will be allotted from a set of three options.

“We are not surprised by the poll panel’s decision. This was expected,” Uddhav loyalist and MLC Manisha Kayande told The Hindu.

She said that the Shinde-Fadnavis group wants to finish the ‘real’ Shiv Sena led by Mr. Uddhav Thackeray and was using arm tactics. “But, one thing they must remember — for us, the symbol doesn’t matter. Our faces and developmental work in the area is enough to get a landslide victory in the election,” Ms. Kayande said, adding that their work speaks louder than the symbol.

Though the Shinde-led faction is likely to support the BJP candidate as part of their alliance, they submitted an application to the EC alleging that Uddhav Thackeray’s camp may misuse the party symbol in the election when the issue was still pending with the poll body.

The Uddhav Thackeray camp will field deceased Sena MLA Ramesh Latke’s wife Rutuja as it heavily depends on the sympathy factor. Latke died of a heart attack while on a trip to Dubai in May.