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Calling the Elections Commission’s decision to allot the Shiv Sena name and symbol to the Shinde faction “surprising and disappointing”, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule echoed her father Sharad Pawar’s advice to Uddhav Thackeray to “start from the beginning”.
In a major setback to the Uddhav Thackery faction of Shiv Sena, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday allotted the party name “Shiv Sena” and the symbol “Bow and Arrow” to the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Speaking to ANI, the NCP MP said, “Surprised and disappointed but we have to deal with it. Like Mr Pawar said, you have to face these challenges and start from the beginning. The only background one must not forget is that party was started by Balasaheb Thackeray and he had decided who will run it.”
Sule further said that the decision is very unfortunate because the founder of Shiv Sena Balasaheb Thackeray’s wish was that Uddhav Thackeray runs the party.
“Balasaheb Thackeray’s wish was that Uddhav Thackeray runs the party. Very unfortunate that this decision has come because if this party was started by Balasaheb Thackeray and his wish was that Uddhav Thackeray should run it, that should have been the decision,” she said.
Giving an example of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who founded his own party after he parted his ways from the Uddhav Thackeray and did not grab Shiv Sena.
“When Raj Thackeray left the party, he did not grab the party. He started on his own. So, that was an option everybody had. But to grab this party in the way the whole thing has happened is very sad, and disappointing,” said the NCP MP.
When asked about the impact of the ECI’s decision on the voters, she said, “When the NCP was formed there was no social media but all the leaders worked hard and within a few weeks the symbol– clock– reached every home in Maharashtra and we won and came to power. So, I am not looking at it as a very big challenge, a little bit disappointment, yes because it was the decision of Balasaheb Thackeray because he formed the party.”
Earlier, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar remarked on the loss of the “bow and arrow” symbol of his ally Uddhav Thackeray faction on Friday, stating that it would not have any major impact. He also stressed that the people would accept the new symbol.
The NCP chief asked Thackeray to accept the Election Commission’s decision and take a new symbol. “It’s the decision of the Election Commission. Once a decision is given, there can be no discussion. Accept it and take a new symbol. It (the loss of the old symbol) is not going to have any major impact as people will accept (the new symbol). It just would remain in the discussion for the next 15-30 days, that’s it,” Pawar said.
He recalled the Congress having to change its symbol from two bullocks with a yoke to hand and said that the people would accept the new symbol of Uddhav Thackeray faction like the way they accepted the Congress’ new symbol.
“I remember Indira Gandhi also faced this situation. Congress used to have a ‘two bullocks with a yoke’ symbol. Later they lost it & adopted ‘hand’ as a new symbol & people accepted it. Similarly, people will accept the new symbol (of Uddhav Thackeray faction),” he said.
While the Shinde faction welcomed the decision of being recognized as the real Shiv Sena, the Uddhav Thackeray faction said they will move the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the Eknath Shinde faction burst crackers and celebrated in Nashik today after the Election Commission order.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction accused the Election Commission of haste and said the decision shows “it works as BJP agent”.
The Commission observed in its order that the current constitution of the Shiv Sena party is undemocratic and has been “mutilated to undemocratically appoint people from a coterie as office bearers without any election at all”. It said such party structures fail to inspire confidence.
Calling the poll panel’s decision as “murder of democracy”, Uddhav Thackeray said he will approach the Supreme Court against the decision.
“They should first understand Balasaheb. They have come to know that ‘Modi’s face does not attract people in Maharashtra anymore so they have to put Balasaheb’s mask on their face for their own benefit. I had said that ECI should not give a decision before the SC verdict. If the party’s existence is decided based on the number of MLAs and MPs, any capitalist can purchase MLA, MP and become CM,” Uddhav Thackeray said at a press conference.
He said they have the support of people and will go to them. “We will surely go to the Supreme Court against this EC order. We are sure that the SC will set aside this order,” Thackeray said.
Shiv Sena was formed by Uddhav Thackeray’s father Balasaheb Thackeray.
