Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hailed the decision taken by the Election Commission on the issue of awarding the Shiv Sena party name and bow and arrow symbol to his rival and successor Eknath Shinde.
"The Election Commission established the difference between truth and lie yesterday. The formula of 'Satyameva Jayate' became significant yesterday," said the Home Minister in Pune, Maharashtra.
The Election Commission on Friday allotted the name 'Shiv Sena' and its poll symbol 'bow and arrow' to the Shinde faction. This is for the first time that the Thackeray family has lost control of the party that was founded in 1966 by Bal Thackeray.
Earlier today, Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray hit out at the Eknath Shinde led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Party symbol row.
"The bow and arrow have been stolen. The thief needs to be taught a lesson. He has been caught. I challenge the thief to come out on the field with a bow and arrow and we will counter it with a flaming torch," said Uddhav Thackeray as he addressed a large crowd outside Matoshree, the family home of the Thackerays.
"I'd like to say that they want the face of Balasaheb Thackeray, they want the election symbol but not the family of Shiv Sena. PM Narendra Modi needs the mask of Balasaheb Thackeray to come to Maharashtra. People of the state know which face is real & which isn't," Uddhav further said.
A large number of Thackeray loyalists had gathered outside his residence 'Matoshree' in Bandra on Saturday in a show of strength and raised slogans against Eknath Shinde and in support of Thackeray.