Sharad Pawar downplays loss of "bow and arrow" symbol of Uddhav Thackeray faction, says people will accept new symbol

On Friday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) allotted the party name "Shiv Sena" and the symbol "Bow and Arrow" to the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, dealing a major setback to the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the party. In response, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar commented on the loss of the "bow and arrow" symbol of his ally, stating that it would not have any major impact and that the people would accept the new symbol.

Pawar's remarks came after the ECI ordered that the party name "Shiv Sena" and the party symbol "Bow and Arrow" will be given to the Eknath Shinde faction. 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.

Pawar also 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 ECI's decision, the Uddhav Thackeray faction said they will move the Supreme Court. 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. The party has been in power in Maharashtra in alliance with the NCP and Congress since 2019. The party has been part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre and in Maharashtra in the past. However, in 2019, it snapped ties with the BJP and formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi