New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar responded to the loss of the "bow and arrow" symbol of his ally Uddhav Thackeray faction saying that it would not have any major impact as believes people would accept the new symbol. In a major setback for the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena faction, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday ordered that the party name "Shiv Sena" and the party symbol "Bow and Arrow" will be given to the Eknath Shinde faction.
The former Maharashtra CM advised Uddhav Thackeray to accept the ECI's decision and take a new symbol. "It's the decision of the Election Commission. Once a decision is given, there can be no discussion. Accept it and take a new symbol. It (the loss of the old symbol) is not going to have any major impact as people will accept (the new symbol). It just would remain in the discussion for the next 15-30 days, that's it," Pawar said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The veteran politician recalled how Congress changed its symbol from two bullocks with a yoke to the hand as he said that the people would accept the new symbol of Uddhav Thackeray faction the way they accepted the Congress party's new symbol.
"I remember Indira Gandhi also faced this situation. Congress used to have a 'two bullocks with a yoke' symbol. Later they lost it and adopted 'hand' as a new symbol and people accepted it. Similarly, people will accept the new symbol (of Uddhav Thackeray faction)," he said, as per ANI.
In its order, the ECI observed that the current constitution of the Shiv Sena party is undemocratic and has been "mutilated to undemocratically appoint people from a coterie as office bearers without any election at all". It stated that such party structures fail to inspire confidence.
While the Shinde faction welcomed the decision of being recognised as the real Shiv Sena, the Uddhav Thackeray faction accused the Election Commission of haste and said the decision shows "it works as BJP agent".
Uddhav Thackeray termed the poll panel's decision as "murder of democracy" and said he will approach the Supreme Court against the decision.
"They should first understand Balasaheb. They have come to know that 'Modi's face does not attract people in Maharashtra anymore so they have to put Balasaheb's mask on their face for their own benefit. I had said that ECI should not give a decision before the SC verdict. If the party's existence is decided based on the number of MLAs and MPs, any capitalist can purchase MLA, MP and become CM," Uddhav Thackeray said at a press conference, as quoted by ANI.
He said they have the support of the people, "We will surely go to the Supreme Court against this EC order. We are sure that the SC will set aside this order".