Eknath Shinde Skips State Cabinet Meeting in Mumbai, Heads to Delhi

Eknath Shinde skipped the Maharashtra state cabinet meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday and traveled to Delhi ahead of the resumption of the Supreme Court hearing on the Shiv Sena party name and 'bow and arrow' symbol case.

Ahead of the court proceedings, Shinde criticized the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction's demand to freeze the party's election symbol, labeling the move politically motivated amid the ongoing dispute.

Shinde described the 'bow and arrow' symbol as a matter of faith and self-respect for party founder Balasaheb Thackeray. He stated that by demanding the symbol be frozen, the Shiv Sena (UBT) had exposed their real intent.

Criticizing the rival faction, Shinde alleged that they first froze the party's ideology and the people's mandate in 2019, while also compromising Hindutva and changing the Shiv Sena's constitution. Shinde maintained that his group is carrying forward Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology and views, adding that they have received the blessings of the people of Maharashtra.

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions filed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction that challenge an earlier Election Commission order. That order recognized the Eknath Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and awarded them the 'bow and arrow' election symbol.