Mumbai – The battle of ‘Dhanush Baan’ is also increasing in the midst of the discussions of cabinet expansion in Maharashtra. It is reported that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has submitted the relevant documents to the Election Commission of India. At the same time, former CM of the state Uddhav Thackeray has sought four weeks time from the commission to submit the documents. Cabinet expansion is going to happen in Maharashtra on Tuesday.
Shinde faction has staked claim on the bow and arrow symbol and submitted documents before the EC. After the rebellion in the party, Shinde formed the government in Maharashtra with the Bharatiya Janata Party in June. Then he wrote a letter to the commission demanding that the bow and arrow symbol be allotted to him. Regarding this, the faction had cited the recognition received in the Lok Sabha and the state assembly.
During that time, the Election Commission had asked both the parties to submit documents including letters of support from the legislative and organizational wings by August 8. According to the ECI, these demands were made on the lines of paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order 1968.
Uddhav wish and time
The Uddhav-led Shiv Sena has sought extension of time from the commission. According to media reports, a senior leader said, “Based on the observations and directions of the Apex Court, we have requested the Commission not to give any decision on the petition of Shinde faction till the Supreme Court’s decision.”
The court had earlier asked the Election Commission not to pursue it as the matter was sub-judice. On August 4, the Supreme Court had asked the commission not to act immediately on the Shinde faction’s plea seeking to treat them as the real Shiv Sena and give the party’s election symbol the bow and arrow.