New Delhi: Every week after the Uttar Pradesh election fee allotted the Samata Celebration it’s previous mashaal (flaming torch) image for the UP Nagar Nikay election (municipal polls), the social gathering stated Friday that it’s going to transfer the Supreme Courtroom in opposition to the Election Fee of India (ECI) allotting the identical image to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena — Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) social gathering in October, for an upcoming bypoll in Maharashtra.
The Samata Celebration — fashioned in 1994 by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the late chief, George Fernandes — had earlier each complained to the ECI in opposition to the allotment of the image of Thackeray’s social gathering and moved the Delhi Excessive Courtroom in opposition to it, however the HC had dismissed the case claiming it had no proper over deciding social gathering symbols.
The Samata Celebration had been derecognised by the ECI in 2004.
Samata Celebration chief Uday Mandal informed ThePrint that whereas the social gathering was grateful to the UP election fee for allotting them the image for the civic polls scheduled to be held on 28 December, they wished their unique image to be allotted to them for different elections too.
“In Bihar and different states additionally, we ought to be allotted the mashaal image. We’re getting ready for the 2025 Bihar meeting election, and we have now had a base in Bihar as a result of the Samata Celebration was additionally in energy there as soon as. We are going to go to the Supreme Courtroom if want be,” stated Mandal.
In the meantime, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has stated that it’s going to proceed its struggle to get the Sena’s unique bow and arrow image, utilized by the social gathering earlier than it divided into two fractions earlier this yr.
Shiv Sena spokesperson and MP Arvind Sawant stated he was not conscious that the flaming torch image being allotted to the Samata Celebration for any election, however they solely wished the bow and arrow image. “Samata Celebration used it (the mashaal image) lengthy again, however their vote share got here down, so the image grew to become invalid,” stated Sawant.
He added: “Nevertheless, it was given to Shiv Sena solely briefly for the Andheri byelection (final month). We’re combating for our previous image. The Election Fee works on the directive of BJP, so the dates (for deciding on the image) have been suspending. Now we have now been referred to as on 9 December.”
The allotment of the Mashaal image to the Shiv Sena (UBT), nonetheless, just isn’t prone to have any quick impression on the Shiv Sena (UBT), as there are not any elections scheduled in Maharashtra at current.
Explaining why the image was allotted to the Samata Celebration for the municipal polls, Uttar Pradesh Election Fee chief Satish Kumar Singh stated, “Samata Celebration’s used the Mashal image way back, however their vote share had gone down so their declare for the image stood rejected. One has to individually apply for the registration for the Nikay Chunav. They utilized they usually obtained the image. The Shiv Sena and Samata Celebration matter is in election fee and that has nothing to do with these native stage elections”.
Additionally learn: Toaster, pen drive, laptop computer, CCTV digicam — EC is maintaining with new-age ballot symbols
‘Distinction between state, nationwide events’
Dispute over the mashaal image began following the division of the Shiv Sena earlier this yr.
In June, Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde had led a rise up of Sena MLAs to topple the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) authorities in Maharashtra — an alliance of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Celebration and the Congress — and are available to energy in partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP).
Whereas each factions had laid declare to the Shiv Sena identify and its “bow and arrow” image, the EC had requested the 2 to decide on alternate names and symbols as an alternative. The Shiv Sena (UBT) had finally settled on the mashaal (although nurturing hope of lastly reclaiming the unique Sena image) and the Shinde led Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena had been allotted the ‘two sword and a defend’ image.
The Samata Celebration had been merged with the Janata Dal (United) by Fernandes in 2003, however the concept was opposed by the social gathering’s MP, Brahmanand Mandal. The Election Fee too didn’t formally recognise the merger, and the Samata Celebration was derecognised in 2004.
The Election Fee can derecognise a celebration if it doesn’t obtain at the very least six per cent of votes or win a minimal of two seats in state elections. For nationwide events, it’s obligatory to have acquired a minimal of six per cent votes and to have MLAs in at the very least 4 states.
Whereas earlier derecognised events would lose their symbols, the EC modified the principles in 1997 to permit the events to order their image.
Mandal had earlier informed ThePrint that the image of mashaal had been reserved by the Samata Celebration, and was freed simply in a day with out informing the social gathering, and allotted to Uddhav Thackeray’s social gathering.
“We weren’t notified by the EC that our reserved image was being allotted to a different social gathering. We’re getting ready for Bihar elections sooner or later and we’d want our unique image,” Mandal had stated.
Explaining how the Samata Celebration has now been given the mashaal image for the UP civic polls, Singh stated the EC makes a distinction between state and nationwide events, and symbols may be allotted in another way on the two ranges.
“Through the Nagar Nikay election, the election image is provisional (short-term). If the social gathering will get a couple of per cent votes in these elections, then they are going to be given everlasting standing within the state,” stated Singh.
(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)
Additionally learn: Shinde, Uddhav factions have new names. However what’s the origin story of ‘Shiv Sena’ & its image?