EC allots two swords and a shield poll symbol to Eknath Shinde faction

The Election Commission has allotted the 'two swords and a shield' poll symbol to Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena. On Monday, the Election Commission allotted new names to both factions of Shiv Sena, one led by Uddhav Thackeray and another by Eknath Shinde.

The Shinde faction, which is now named 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena', will be able to use the symbol for the Andheri East assembly by-poll, should it decide to



contest the election scheduled for November 3.

In a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Commission said it has decided to declare 'Do Talwarein aur Ek Dhal (Two Swords & Shield)' to be a free symbol and allot it to the candidate set up, if any, by the Shinde-led group in the current bye-election. The Shinde faction had suggested 'peepal tree', 'sword and shield', and 'sun' as its choice of poll symbols.