Maharashtra Assembly Election: Shiv Sena (UBT) Gets Modified 'Mashaal' Symbol Ahead Of Polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday assigned a modified 'Mashaal' (flaming torch) symbol to the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra state assembly elections.

During the Lok Sabha elections, the 'Mashaal' symbol was compared to an ice cream cone by the Uddhav faction. Now, a slight adjustment has been made to show a clearer representation of a 'Mashaal' in the symbol.

Photo Credit: PTI

Eknath Shinde had split the Shiv Sena in June 2022, leading to the fall of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which was led by then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Following the division, the ECI assigned the Mashaal symbol to the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and two swords and a shield to the Eknath Shinde-led group.

However, these symbols had previously been linked to the original Shiv Sena party at different points before it adopted the iconic 'bow and arrow' symbol.

The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, contested its first successful election in 1985 using the 'flaming torch' symbol.

Since its formation, the party has fought elections with various symbols: the railway engine, a pair of palm trees, and swords and a shield. It wasn't until 1989, after Shiv Sena sent four MPs to the Lok Sabha, that the party was awarded the bow-and-arrow symbol.

The elections for the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held in a single phase on 20th November, with the counting of votes taking place on 23rd November.

The Mahayuti alliance, which includes Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, the BJP, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, is working to retain power, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress, is aiming to unseat them.

The current, or 14th, term of the Maharashtra Assembly will conclude on 26th November 2024.