ECI Unveils New ‘Mashaal’ Symbol For Uddhav’s Shiv Sena Ahead Of Maharashtra Polls – What Changed?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has allocated a revised 'Mashaal' (flaming torch) symbol to the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction ahead of the Maharashtra state assembly elections. This change follows criticism from the Uddhav faction during the Lok Sabha elections, where they claimed that the original 'Mashaal' symbol closely resembled an ice cream cone. The updated symbol now features a clearer representation of the flaming torch.

In October 2022, the Election Commission assigned the name 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena' to the faction led by Eknath Shinde, while Uddhav Thackeray's faction was named 'Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)'. At that time, the commission rejected several symbols, including 'Trishul,' 'Rising Sun,' and 'Gada,' as these were not on the list of free symbols available for allocation.

Photo Credit: Shiv Sena UBT X

The Uddhav faction has been using the 'Mashaal' symbol in various elections, and the commission had earlier asked the Shinde faction to submit a list of three alternative symbols by October 11. Since then, the Shinde group has been using the 'two swords and shield' symbol, while the Uddhav faction continued with the flaming torch.

These symbols are not entirely new to the Shiv Sena. Historically, both the 'Mashaal' and the 'two swords and shield' had been associated with the original Shiv Sena, prior to the party adopting the now-iconic 'bow and arrow' symbol. Notably, the Shiv Sena, under Bal Thackeray's leadership, secured an election victory in 1985 using the flaming torch.

Photo Credit: Shiv Sena X

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, with 288 seats at stake, are scheduled for November 20. Vote counting will take place on November 23.

Eknath Shinde, who split from the Shiv Sena in June 2022, has since become Maharashtra's Chief Minister. His rise from being a rickshaw driver to the state's top office is often seen as an extraordinary success story.