Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray hit out at the Eknath Shinde led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday after the Election Commission awarded the Shiv Sena party name and bow and arrow symbol to his rival and successor Eknath Shinde.
"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
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.
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.
According to news agency PTI, Thackeray has asked his party leaders to tour the state and mobilise the cadre after the Election Commission's decision.