Sena symbol freeze amounts to freezing democracy: Kapil Sibal

Senior leader and MP Kapil Sibal has criticised the election commission for freezing the symbol of Shiv Sena. In a tweet, he said that “Election Commission freezes Sena Election symbol. Amounts to “freezing” democracy." The poll body had said the election symbol would be frozen amid widening rifts between the members of both the teams. It also comes just weeks before a crucial by poll in Andheri East in Mumbai.

Election Commission

Freezes Sena Election symbol

Amounts to “freezing” Democracy

The “bow and arrow” belongs to the real Shiv Sena led by Udhav

The “Defectors Platter” for serving the BJP belongs to Shinde’s faction

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) October 9, 2022

Sharad Pawar's NCP - a constituent of the MVA alliance - also responded to the order, saying it was "surprising". The Eknath Shinde led Sena camp is not even contesting the by-election, still the use of the party name and symbol was restricted. The Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) along with the NCP and Congress will give a tough fight to the BJP," NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said. The November 3 Andheri East assembly seat was announced after the death of incumbent Sena MLA Ramesh Latke. The Congress and the NCP are backing his wife Rujuta Latke, the candidate of the Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena. The Election Commission has asked both the Sena factions to give alternate names.

Meanwhile , the Shiv Sena faction led by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray faction likely to go for Trishul, rising sun and mashaal as alternative symbols. Earlier, Sena had used symbols like Coconut tree, railway engine, sword and shield, mashaal, cup and saucer before the Bow and Arrow symbol was registered on October 1, 1989.