Shiv Sena Symbol-Name Row: Eknath Shinde Faction Gets "Two Swords & Shield"

Hours after the Eknath Shinde faction submitted new options for the second time for their poll symbol, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday evening, October 11, alloted the 'Two Swords & Shield symbol' to the camp. If reports are to be believed, the new options include -- sun, sword and shield, and peepal tree.

Taking it to Twitter, Shinde declared that the Election Commission's choice for their faction was an open acknowledgement of their claims.

"We are the true inheritors of the strong Hindutva thoughts of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. Be made to protect the gentlemen Shield , hand to destroy the bad guys Sword....," he wrote.

आम्हीच वंदनीय हिंदुहृदयसम्राट शिवसेनाप्रमुख बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांच्या प्रखर हिंदुत्वाच्या विचारांचे खरे वारसदार....

सज्जनांच्या रक्षणासाठी बनूनी #ढाल, दुर्जनांच्या संहारासाठी हाती धरू #तलवार....#बाळासाहेबांची_शिवसेना

निशाणी : #ढाल_तलवार pic.twitter.com/QsatzmPdCE

— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) October 11, 2022

This move came after the EC on Monday evening, October 10, rejected their earlier proposal of suggested symbols and also refuted the claim to the Shiv Sena's "bow and arrow" election symbol and asked to pick up a new one. A day earlier, the Shinde camp proposed a trumpet, blunt mace and sword as options for the party.

It is pertinent to note that on Monday, October 10, the election body allotted mashaal (the torch) symbol to the Uddhav Thackeray faction, ending the Thackeray-Shinde fight for claim on Sena. The Uddhav faction had floated around the options of trishul, rising sun and mashaal as its symbol.

On the other hand, in a major blow to Uddhav Thackeray, team Eknath Shinde was allowed by the poll body to name the party - Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena). The team's other choice - Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray) - was rejected on grounds that it was team Uddhav’s first choice also.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray's party name will be 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray'. The Thackeray faction expressed satisfaction over the new names.