Rishika Aradhya, Pune
Members of opposing Shiv Sena factions led by Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray participated in an heated exchange in the Navi Peth area of Pune on Saturday.
The workers of the rival factions were invited to a debate organized by a Marathi news channel. Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, which was protesting at the Balgandharva Chowk, came to know about the debate and gathered in front of the Pune Union of Working Journalists office and started shouting slogans against the rival group. Both the factions’ City Unit Presidents Nana Bhangire (Eknath Shinde faction) and Sanjay More (Uddhav Thackery faction) were present during this clash. Police reached the spot before any violence ensued and dispersed the crowd.
This comes after Eknath Shinde’s faction was awarded the Shiv Sena party symbol and party name by the Election Commission of India. The Uddhav Thackery faction alleged that a 2000 crore deal had been made in order to buy the symbol and party name.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also defended the Election Commission’s decision during a speech he made during a recent Pune visit, in which he stated “… the Election Commission made ‘doodh ka doodh, aur paani ka paani.’ The formula of ‘Satyameva Jayate’ became significant yesterday. Shinde ji got the bow and arrow symbol and the party name Shiv Sena.”
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