Mumbai: DCM chief minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday skipped the state cabinet meeting and went to Delhi ahead of the resumption of the Supreme Court hearing on the Shiv Sena party name and ‘bow and arrow’ symbol case this week.Shinde criticised Shiv Sena (UBT)’s demand to freeze Shiv Sena’s election symbol, calling the move politically motivated amid the ongoing dispute over the party’s name and symbol. “This is very unfortunate. Shiv Sena’s ‘bow and arrow’ was a matter of faith and self respect for Balasaheb Thackeray. By demanding that this symbol be frozen, they (Shiv Sena UBT) have exposed themselves. It shows their real intent. They froze the Shiv Sena’s ideology first and the people’s mandate in 2019. They also froze Hindutva by giving up the ideology and democracy by changing the Shiv Sena’s constitution. Now they are asking to freeze the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol. For us Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology and views are important. We are taking them forward and that is why the people of Maharashtra have given us their blessings,” Shinde said.The SC is hearing pleas from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction challenging the Election Commission order that recognised the Eknath Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and awarded them the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol. Lawyers representing Shiv Sena are expected to argue the case when the hearing resumes.“…Today, there are meetings with several state presidents, and I will be holding discussions with them. There is also a party organisational meeting. Several people also wanted to meet me, and since it is not possible for everyone to come to Mumbai, I have come to Delhi,” Shinde said.Praising India’s high growth rate, he said: “India is moving forward under the leadership of PM Modi…Many countries are currently facing wars and war-like situations, and the economic situation in several countries has deteriorated very badly. In such circumstances, India recording 7.8% GDP growth is significant in itself.”
