Uddhav Thackeray called Eknath Shinde a “traitor who won’t change”
Mumbai:
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched a strong attack on his rival Eknath Shinde, calling him a “traitor who won’t change”, after the Election Commission today allowed Team Shinde to keep the Shiv Sena name and the party’s bow and arrow symbol.
The Election Commission’s decision comes nearly eight months after Mr Shinde, the current Chief Minister, revolted with over 40 Sena MLAs and wrested control of the party from Mr Thackeray’s alliance government with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.
“They have stolen the Shiv Sena symbol. We will keep fighting and won’t lose hope. For now, let Shinde be happy with his theft. Once a traitor, always a traitor,” Mr Thackeray said.
In the order today, the Election Commission said Team Eknath Shinde can keep the name “Shiv Sena” and the “bow and arrow” symbol, while the Uddhav Thackeray faction can keep the name “Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray” and the “flaming torch” symbol.
Referring to this, Mr Thackeray said the decision would be “fatal for democracy”.
“Now the Prime Minister should announce from the Red Fort that democracy is dead,” Mr Thackeray told reporters in a packed hall at his Mumbai home, Matoshree. “The real bow and arrow are with us. They (Team Shinde) only have these on paper,” said Mr Thackeray, whose father Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena.
