ECI Allots Modified ‘Mashaal’ Symbol To Uddhav Thackeray-Led Shiv Sena Ahead Of Maharashtra Election

Mumbai: Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday allotted a modified ‘Mashaal’ symbol to the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party led by Uddhav Thackeray. Earlier, the Shiv Sena (UBT) was allotted a torch (Mashaal) symbol, which was said to look like an ice-cream cone. Now, with a modification in the symbol, it now appears to be a clear ‘Mashaal’ symbol.

After the Eknath Shinde faction split from the Uddhav Thackeray faction, the Supreme Court declared the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena and was given the original name and party symbol. Later, the Uddhav Thackeray faction was given Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) as the party name and 'Mashaal', as the party symbol. Notably, Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena in June 2022, toppling the MVA-led Maharashtra government under the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

After the split, the ECI gave the Mashaal symbol to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena and two swords and shields to the Eknath Shinde -led faction. However, these symbols were once associated with the parent party- Shiv Sena, at different intervals before it got the hallowed ‘bow and arrow’ symbol.

The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, had successfully contested an election in 1985 using the ‘flaming torch’ symbol.

Since its inception, Shiv Sena has contested elections on different symbols: the railway engine, a pair of palm trees and swords and shields. It was only three decades ago, in 1989 after the Shiv Sena sent four MPs to the Lok Sabha, it was given the bow-and-arrow symbol.

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly would be held in a single phase on November 20, while the counting of votes would be held on November 23.

The Mahayuti, comprising Chief Minister Eknath Shinde -led Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar ’s NCP, is striving to retain power, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and Congress , is eyeing to dislodge it.

The current or 14th term of the Maharashtra assembly would end on November 26, 2024.