Launching a scathing attack on Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, former CM Uddhav Thackeray asked his supporters to teach a lesson to the “thief” who stole the party’s `bow and arrow’ symbol and announced that his faction will contest the election with the ‘torch’ symbol.
“The Election Commission’s verdict is very dangerous for democracy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should announce from the Red Fort that democracy is over,” Thackeray said, accusing the government of being a bully.
Thackeray in his typical sarcastic style said: “They asked us to produce several documents pertaining to office bearers and members. We submitted all the documents as asked by the EC in their format. What was the reason to harass us if after six months they were to come up with this decision. If the Election Commission wants to eat dung, then why bother to ask for food.”
Thackeray held up a “bow and arrow” and said, “Even if the bow is stolen, it will remain on paper. This is the real “Bow and Arrow” worshipped by Balasaheb Thackeray. It is always kept in our puja ghar and will remain with us. Ravana and Rama also had bows and arrows. Even when 100 Kauravas came together, the Pandavas were not defeated. Many people do not accept this injustice. This is Chhatrapati’s Maharashtra, not Dhritarashtra’s Hastinapur. We will go to the Supreme Court against this decision.”
He said, “These people are thieves, they have stolen the name of Balasaheb and his Sena. In the rallies they are using mask of Balasaheb Thackeray. They are faceless, so they are making themselves. In my view, they are thieves and are happy celebrating the stolen victory. No matter how much a thief tries, he cannot become a man. We will go to the Supreme Court, till then eat the grains from our bow and arrow. This battle will be fought till the end. Now I have entered the field, I will not rest without victory,” added Uddhav Thackeray.
Targeting Uddhav, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said he is making lakhs of people thieves and accused him of selling out the ideology of Bal Thackeray in 2019.
Hailing the move, CM Eknath Shinde said this win is of teachings of Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe. “It’s a victory of democracy. This country runs on the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. We formed our Government on the basis of that Constitution. The EC order that came today is on the basis of merit. I express my gratitude to the Election Commission,” he added.
Following the EC’s order, Eknath Shinde updated his display picture on Twitter and put up Shiv Sena’s ‘bow and arrow’ symbol as the picture.
The EC observed 40 MLAs, supporting the Shinde faction, garnered 36,57,327 votes out of total 47,82,440 votes i.e ~76% of votes polled in favour of 55 winning MLAs.
This contrasts with 11,25,113 votes garnered by 15 MLAs whose support is claimed by the Thackeray faction. As against 90,49,789, total votes polled by Shiv Sena in the Maharashtra Assembly election in 2019 (including the losing candidates), votes polled by 40 MLAs supporting the petitioner come to ~40 % whereas votes polled by 15 MLAs supporting the Respondents come to ~12% of total votes.
13 MPs supporting the Shinde faction garnered 74,88,634 votes out of total 1,02,45143 votes i.e ~73% of votes polled in favor of 18 MPs in Lok Sabha polls 2019.
This contrasts with 27,56,509 votes garnered by 5 MPs supporting Thackeray faction i.e ~ 27% of votes polled in favour of 18 MPs.
