Tale Of Changing Shiv Sena Symbols Before It Got 'Bow And Arrow'

The 'flaming torch' symbol was used by the Shiv Sena in the past during civic body and Assembly polls.

The 'flaming torch' (mashaal) and 'two swords and a shield' symbols allotted to the factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by the Election Commission were once associated with the parent party - Shiv Sena, at different intervals before it got the hallowed 'bow and arrow' symbol.

The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, had successfully contested an election in 1985 using the 'flaming torch' symbol which is now allotted to the Uddhav Thackeray faction- 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray', by the EC amidst the factional feud. The Shinde faction was allotted the 'two swords and a shield' symbol.

Senior politician Chhagan Bhujbal, who was then in Shiv Sena, had won the election from Mazgaon constituency in Mumbai on the 'flaming torch' symbol when the organisation did not have a fixed poll symbol.

Mr Bhujbal later rebelled and quit Shiv Sena to join Congress. He is now a prominent leader of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).