11 October,2022 07:49 PM IST | Mumbai | PTI
Eknath Shinde. Pic/PTI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday welcomed the Election Commission of India's decision to grant his faction of the Shiv Sena the 'two swords and a shield' symbol, saying it was associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and also the old Sena.
Their first choice was 'the sun', Shinde told reporters here.
"Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena is the Shiv Sena of the common man. We accept this decision of the EC. We had given priority to the 'sun' symbol, but it approved swords and shield. This is the symbol of the old Shiv Sena...This is a Maharashtrian symbol. It is the symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his mavalas (soldiers)," he added.
Two swords and a shield was one of the symbols the Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, used in the 1967-68 civic polls in Mumbai and elsewhere.
ALSO READ
Maharashtra assembly elections: Want unity, not CM post, says Uddhav Thackeray
Raut defends Uddhav's push for decision on CM's face from MVA allies
Only Mahayuti will burst crackers after Diwali, says Eknath Shinde
Dislodging corrupt Mahayuti govt is priority, CM candidate talks can wait: Raut
Of six former MLAs in race, only two still with original parties
Also read: EC allots 'two swords and a shield' as poll symbol to Eknath Shinde's faction
The Shinde faction, now named as 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena', will be able to use the new symbol in the November 3 Andheri East Assembly bypoll if it decided to contest the election, though its ally BJP is likely to field its own candidate against the Uddhav Thackeray faction's nominee.
The rival Sena faction led by Thackeray has been granted 'Flaming Torch' as its symbol after the EC held last week that the two groups would not be able to use the Sena's 'Bow and Arrow' symbol following the split.
The Shinde group had proposed 'peepal tree', 'sword and shield' and 'sun' as its choices.
Shinde faction spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre said the new symbol was a "blessing of Chhatrapati Shivaji" and will defeat "evil powers."
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
