Advertisement

Evolution of Shiv Sena's symbol: from Shield to Bow and Arrow

The Shiv Sena was founded in 1966 and it took 23 years for the party to get the dedicated 'bow and arrow' symbol. However, after nearly 33 years, the Election Commission last week froze its 'bow and arrow' symbol for an interim period.

Evolution of Shiv Sena's symbol: from Shield to Bow and Arrow
SHARES

The feud between the Uddhav Thackeray faction and Eknath Shinde faction came to an end after the Election Commission of India (ECI) allotted different symbols and names to both on Tuesday, October 11.

ECI allotted the 'flaming torch' (mashaal) and 'two swords and a shield' symbols to the factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde respectively. Meanwhile, it is pertinent to note that they were once associated with the parent party -- Shiv Sena, at different intervals before it got the hallowed 'bow and arrow' symbol.

The Shiv Sena was founded in 1966 and it took 23 years for the party to get the dedicated 'bow and arrow' symbol. However, after nearly 33 years, the Election Commission last week froze its 'bow and arrow' symbol for an interim period.

Here’s the timeline of Sena’s changing symbols:

Earlier, in 1968, most of the candidates of the party got the 'sword and shield' symbol when they contested the maiden civic polls, including Mumbai.

In October 1970, during a bypoll in Mumbai, necessitated due to the death of Communist leader Krishna Desai, Wamanrao Mahadik contested on the 'rising sun' symbol and won.

It is known that the 'flaming torch' symbol was used by the Shiv Sena in the past during civic body and Assembly polls.

The Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, had successfully contested an election in 1985 using the 'flaming torch' symbol which is now allotted to the Uddhav Thackeray faction- 'Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray', by the EC amidst the factional feud. Senior politician Chhagan Bhujbal, who was then in Shiv Sena, had won the election from Mazgaon constituency in Mumbai on the 'flaming torch' symbol when the organisation did not have a fixed poll symbol.

The Sena was recognised as the state party in 1989, which meant it could use a uniform symbol in the state.

But earlier, from 1966 to 1989, it contested on different symbols in the Lok Sabha, Assembly and civic polls.

Read this story in मराठी
RELATED TOPICS
Advertisement
MumbaiLive would like to send you latest news updates