Uddhav Thackeray moves to Delhi HC against EC order

Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray approached the Delhi High Court seeking quashing of the order of Election Commission of India (ECI) freezing party name – Shiv Sena and its election symbol ‘bow and arrow’.

The petition, filed by Thackeray, has challenged ECI's October 8 order, contending it was passed in complete violation of principles of natural justice and without granting any hearing to the parties and giving them an opportunity to lead evidence.

The ECI, by its October 8 interim order, barred the two Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from using the party name and its election symbol in the Andheri East assembly bypoll.

The petition has arrayed EC and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknathrao Sambhaji Shinde as parties. As per the EC's interim order, both the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions would not be able to use the party name and election symbol in the bypoll in Mumbai on November 3.