Shiv Sena Rift Deepens as Uddhav Thackeray Calls Meeting After Election Commission Recognizes Rival Faction as Legitimate

 Following the Election Commission's recognition of the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the legitimate Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray, who leads the rival camp, has called for a meeting with his party leaders and members to discuss their next steps.

The meeting of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leaders, deputy leaders, elected representatives, and spokespersons will take place in the afternoon at Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra. The EC's decision to allot the name 'Shiv Sena' and its poll symbol 'bow and arrow' to the group led by CM Shinde is a significant setback for Thackeray, as it is the first time the Thackeray family has lost control of the party founded by Balasaheb Thackeray in 1966.

In a unanimous order, the Commission stated that it had relied on the numerical strength of the party in the legislative wing, where the chief minister enjoyed the support of 40 of the 55 MLAs and 13 of the 18 Lok Sabha members. Shinde had broken ranks with Thackeray in June last year and formed the government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).