Poll symbol row: Uddhav Thackeray approaches Delhi HC against EC's order, Eknath Shinde files Caveat

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday filed a caveat application in the Delhi High Court after Uddhav Thackeray filed a plea in the court seeking stay on ECI's order freezing 'Shiv Sena' party name and bow and arrow symbol.

According to reports, the plea could be mentioned for urgent hearing tomorrow morning.

Last week, the EC had barred the two factions from using the party name and its election symbol in the November 3 Andheri East assembly bypoll.


Earlier in the day, the two factions of the Shiv Sena formally submitted three symbols and names each to the Election Commission.

On Sunday, Thackeray asked the Commission to finalise one of three symbols- a trident, burning torch, and rising Sun- finalised by his camp and a name without delay ahead of the bypoll.

The two factions of the Shiv Sena are locked in a fierce battle over party symbol and name ever since Shinde along with the majority of Sena's MLA rebelled against the then-Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav, leading to the fall of his Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coaliton, which also included Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.

The Thackeray faction is contesting the bypoll. The BJP, an ally of Shinde group, has also decided to contest the bypoll.

As October 14 is the last date of filing papers, the EC decision on the alternative symbols and names of the two factions is likely soon.