Uddhav Thackeray

The EC announced that the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction would be known as 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena' (Balasaheb's Shiv Sena) for the November 3 Andheri East bypoll, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp would be known as 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.

As many as 18 police officers were punished after a departmental inquiry was initiated into the matter. One assistant police inspector was sacked, while another assistant police sub-inspector and a driver were compulsorily retired.

This comes a day after the EC gave the 'Mashaal' symbol to the Uddhav Thackeray faction, effectively ending the Thackeray-Shinde battle for control of the Sena. Uddhav Thackeray's party will be called 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray,' while Eknath Shinde's party will be called 'Balasahebchi Shiv Sena.'

The Election Commission (EC) gave the Uddhav Thackeray faction the party name 'ShivSena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)' and the flaming torch as its election symbol ahead of the November 3 bypolls.

The Commission asked rival factions to submit three different name options and as many free symbols for allocation to their respective groups by Monday in an interim order regarding their claims to control the organisation.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has started exploring options for its new party symbol after the poll body barred both the Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions from using the party name and election symbol. Trishul, rising sun, and mashaal are among the options being explored.

The Shinde faction's claim to the symbol was primarily seen as an attempt to deny the 'bow and arrow' to the Thackeray faction. The Election Commission had requested a response from Team Thackeray by Saturday.

The Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray held its rally at the historic Shivaji Park in Dadar in central Mumbai, a venue associated with the Shiv Sena since its inception in 1966. Shinde organised the event at the MMRDA ground in BKC in the suburbs.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed gratitude after seeing large crowds at Shivaji Park on the occasion of Dussehra; however, he slammed CM Eknath Shinde and his camp leaders, calling them traitors whose "identity cannot be wiped out." In contrast, Bal Thackeray's son, Jaidev Thackeray, attended CM Eknath Shinde's Dussehra rally at the MMRDA grounds in BKC.

Eknath Shinde's tweet came just hours before the Shiv Sena's two factions planned massive Dussehra rallies in Mumbai. The Uddhav camp will hold its historic rally in Dadar's Shivaji Park, while Shinde will address a rally at the MMRDA Ground in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).