Ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has assigned a revised version of the ‘mashaal’ (flaming torch) symbol to Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). This adjustment follows criticism during the Lok Sabha elections when the original symbol was mocked by the faction itself for resembling an ice cream cone. The modified design now offers a clearer depiction of a torch to prevent further confusion.
The allocation of election symbols became crucial after the 2022 split in Shiv Sena, which saw Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde leading two rival factions. The ECI granted the name “Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena” to the Shinde group, while Thackeray’s faction was labeled as Shiv Sena (UBT). The EC also denied both factions symbols such as the ‘Trishul’ (trident) and ‘Rising Sun’ due to their unavailability on the list of free symbols.
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Simultaneously, tensions within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) an alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) have surfaced over seat-sharing negotiations. Thackeray has urged his allies to avoid internal disputes that could jeopardize their chances in the polls. Seat-sharing agreements are still in progress, with the alliance under pressure to finalize them soon.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled for November 20, 2024, will determine control of the state’s 288-member legislature. Both the opposition MVA and the ruling BJP-led coalition, Mahayuti, are working to secure favorable alliances before the polls.
